This paper examines Anthony Reid's work, Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce 1450 - 1680: Expansion and Crisis in order
to demonstrate that the increasing
connections between
countries across the world that were involved in trade lead directly to urbanization, universal religions, and efforts to build stronger and more centralized monarchies. In brief, Reid theorizes that the connections that were formed between those countries that were involved in the trade of luxury items - such as cloves, spices, and peppers - were enhanced through their mutual dealings in trade and colonization overseas.