Empires Old and New
Walter C. Clemens
Empires Old and New Walter C. Clemens Jr. (bio) Jane Burbank Frederick Cooper, in World History: Power the Politics of Difference (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010). Ji Young Lee, China’s Hegemony: Four Hundred Years East Asian Domination (New York: Columbia 2016). Cecilia Lindqvist, China: Empire Living Symbols (Cambridge, MA: DeCappo, 2008 [1989]). Kurt M. Campbell, The Pivot: Future American Statecraft Asia Hachette, Eswar S. Prasad, Gaining Currency: Rise Renminbi Oxford 2017). Imperialism can be defined as a policy to take away sovereignty territory from another actor. But it also understood influence—direct or indirect—over other actors, achieved by economic, cultural, political, military leverage. Not every empire is same. Depending on definitions, not “empire” an empire. What Joseph Nye calls soft power—the capacity persuade co-opt—can rival hard power—command coercion—in creating maintaining History shows that imperial power—and contests over within it—have for thousands years configured societies states, opening closing political economic possibilities. This book offers students affairs (and international relations generally) broad historical comparative perspective viewing actions interactions hegemons their potential actual subjects. How could anyone understand “China” “India” without knowing how they [End Page 519] influenced were Mongols, Ottomans, Russians, Europeans, Americans? Cooper outline similarities differences among many great empires beginning with those Rome China third century BCE. Each lasted centuries, but relied class loyal, trained officials, while Rome—at least theory—depended empowerment its citizens. authors next consider tried move into Rome’s place—resilient Byzantium, fissionable Islamic caliphates, short-lived Carolingians. These rivals built religious foundations. Both Christians Muslims fought spread versions one true faith, militancy provoked splits inside competing claims god-given power. relates how, thirteenth century, Mongols put together largest land all time. Pragmatists, combined intimidating violence protection religions cultures along politics personal loyalty. They controlled much fourteenth centuries emerging Russian, Mughal, Ottoman empires. protected trade routes Black Sea Pacific. explain European maritime extensions stimulated high-value goods exchanged Chinese sphere; empire’s dominance eastern Mediterranean east; inability polities rebuild Roman-style unity. All this spurred navigators reach Americas. In twentieth demonstrate, rivalries intensified. Japan joined game China, decades, withdrew. Two world wars led collapse greater weight United States, Russia, global arena. Which comes first—a strong state domain? cause which effect? And do interact? argue tale development people’s “responses” would misrepresent long-term dynamics Britain 520] France became nation-states consequence expansion rather than way around (pp. 7–8). Imperial influence depends only expanding power targets. Focusing tribute system, Lee looks at both sides relationships. Many scholars have portrayed system tool projecting Asia. treat Korea, Japan, actors passive recipients domination. Hegemony Asia’s order was so Sinocentric conventional wisdom suggests...
Asian Perspective