Southernization is a term coined by historian Lynda Shaffer to describe the spread of southern culture and practices throughout the world during the early modern period. In her book "Southernization," Shaffer argues that the southern region of the world, which includes countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire, played a major role in shaping the modern world.
According to Shaffer, the southern region was able to exert a strong influence on the rest of the world due to its abundant resources, advanced technology, and cultural diversity. For example, the southern region was home to a number of major trade routes, including the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean trade network, which connected it to the rest of the world. The southern region was also home to many advanced technologies, such as the compass, gunpowder, and papermaking, which were adopted and spread by other societies.
Additionally, the southern region was home to a diverse array of cultures, religions, and languages, which allowed for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. This cultural exchange led to the spread of southern ideas and practices, such as the adoption of southern crops, like sugar, cotton, and tobacco, by other societies.
Shaffer's concept of southernization is particularly relevant today, as the world has become increasingly interconnected and globalization has brought about the spread of culture and ideas on a global scale. The southern region's influence on the modern world is still evident in the widespread adoption of southern crops, technologies, and cultural practices, as well as in the lasting impact of southern empires on global politics and culture.
Overall, Lynda Shaffer's concept of southernization highlights the important role that the southern region has played in shaping the modern world and underscores the importance of cultural exchange in the development of human societies.