Philosophy of History
PERIODIZATION OF HISTORY
Leonid Grinin, Russia
There is no doubt that periodization is a rather effective method of data ordering and
analysis, though it deals with exceptionally complex types of processual and temporal phenomena. One can choose different bases for periodization, but at the same time it is very important to use the same criteria for the identification of periods with the same taxonomical
significance. According to the theory that we propose, the historical process can be subdivided more effectively into four major stages. The transition from any of these stages into another is the change of all the basic characteristics of the respective stage. However, besides
this main basis of periodization, we need an additional basis, by means of which the chronology may be worked out in detail. As such an additional basis we propose the production principle that describes the major qualitative stages of the development of the world productive
forces. We single out four principles of production: Hunter-Gatherer; Craft-Agrarian; Industrial; and Information-Scientific. The change in production principles is connected with the three
production revolutions: the Agrarian or Neolithic Revolution; the Industrial Revolution; the Information-Scientific Revolution. The beginning of every such a revolution can be chronologically regarded as a natural starting point of the respective stage of the historical process.