How can study of the relationships between Europe and the world in the 18th century help us understand better the world today?

In the 18th Century (1701-1800), Europe dominated the world through a colonial system. England controled much of North America, India and parts of Africa. Spain controlled much of South America and North Africa. Portugal controled Brazil. France controled parts of North America, the Caribbean and Africa. Belgium controlled parts of the Caribbean.

Colonization was very hard on the colonies. European explited resourced from the colonies, levied taxes and created injustice. During the 18th century, nearly EVERY colony revolted against colonization.

Today globalization has created some of the same inequitable relationships between nations, and it could very possibly lead to some of the same type of revolutions.