Global Histories of Slavery and Forced Labor: A Comparative Analysis of Atlantic, Arab, and Asian Systems

Abstract

This paper examines the historical development and operational structures of slavery and forced labor systems across Atlantic, Arab, and Asian contexts from approximately 700 CE to the early 20th century. Through comparative historical analysis, it interrogates how these systems were established, maintained, and eventually transformed or abolished. The research identifies key divergences in ideological justifications, socioeconomic functions, and mechanisms of control across these systems, while also highlighting significant parallels in how forced labor was integrated into broader economic networks. The analysis reveals that while Atlantic slavery became distinctly racialized and plantation-oriented, Arab and Asian systems frequently operated within more complex hierarchies of dependency and service. This paper contributes to scholarly discourse by demonstrating how comparative study challenges Eurocentric narratives and illuminates the complex interplay between local conditions and global economic forces in shaping diverse unfree labor regimes. These findings emphasize the importance of examining slavery as both a localized practice and a globalized phenomenon constituted by interconnected economic networks and cultural exchanges.