Table of Contents

Introduction: Finding Empire Imperial Beginnings Imperial Decay Imperial Collapse Imperial Revival Conclusion: Losing Empire

Promotional Information

Despite their historical importance, empires have received scant attention from social scientists. Now, Alexander J. Motyl examines the structure, dynamics, and continuing relevance of empire. Rejecting choice-centered theories of imperial decline, Motyl maintains that the very structure of empires promotes decay and that decay in turn facilitates the progressive loss of territory.

About the Author

Alexander J. Motyl is associate professor of political science at Rutgers University, Newark, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the Center for Global Change and Governance. The editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of Nationalism, he is also the author of many books, most recently, Revolutions, Nations, Empires. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

Offers a refreshingly explicit explaination of his preferences. Journal of Early Modern History