Europe and Asia: compared histories and historiographies

Abstract

Based on a critical assessment of the fundamental debates ignited by Kenneth Pomeranz’ seminal work The great divergence – a work that was recently translated into Portuguese –, this article presents a reconstitution of the historiographical contributions of the recent decades that have comparatively evaluated the development of Europe and Asia. On the one hand, the article highlights a group of works that offer new insights and interpretations on the history of Asian societies since the modern age, from which Pomeranz’ work stands out. On the other hand, the article identifies and critically engages with the fundamental analytical and historical issues in connection with this important historiographical movement.