Trade has played a large role throughout history in the development and expansion of religions, economic growth, philosophies, diseases, agriculture, ways of life, and specialization. Trade has enabled such diversity and development, but today trade focuses only on economic power and control as opposed to a learning tool.

            Trade used to symbolize development. If we look back at early civilization, trade was considered a major catalyst for religions like Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucism. As noted by such historical forums such as history-world.org, trade influenced the societal traditons we use today. “The early civilizationsin the Middle East and North Africa served as generators of a number of

separate and durable civilization traditions, which can still be found in

civilizations around the Mediterranean, in parts of Europe, and even across

the Atlantic.”  While trade spread the modern traditions that we see in the world today, our modern trade system does not reflect the same ideals of development.

            The United States, as well as many other countries, trade today embodies the ideals of economic growth and economic status. Goods and services are traded for other goods and services, or for a monetary fee. This is a starch contrast to the trading of philosophical ideals, and religious traditions.

           

Why does our modern day society feel that they no longer need the influence or inspiration of other countries and cultures? Our world today seems to be confident in what has been developed and too comfortable in our ways that we cannot continue to grow and develop? What will the history books reflect other than developed technology from our time?