Secret History #15: Capital and the Bronze Age Collapse

Professor Jiang lectures on the Bronze Age Collapse, framing it as a consequence of proto-capitalism. The lecture begins by situating the Bronze Age within the context of early civilizations and their reliance on river systems for agriculture and trade, leading to warfare and the development of bronze weaponry. The professor explains how the need for tin, a key component of bronze, drove globalization and the creation of extensive trade routes. The lecture then transitions to the concept of capital, defining its characteristics (universality, store of value, mobility) and arguing that bronze functioned as the first real universal currency. The professor contends that capital shifts human behavior from altruistic to utilitarian, initially fostering growth but eventually leading to exploitation, inequality, and societal collapse. Examples such as the Sea Peoples invasions and the wealth disparity are used to illustrate the perfect storm of crises that led to the end of the Bronze Age. The lecture concludes by drawing parallels to the modern world, suggesting that the inherent nature of capital may lead to a similar collapse despite globalization and wealth.