Empire and its Multitude: A Review Essay (original) (raw)
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The disappearance of the concept of empire
The Empire is a wife without dowry, a resounding and majestic word that is neither of any use nor any advantage. Neither Ferdinand II nor any of his predecessors possessed any province, any fortress, or even a palace in the entire empire in his capacity as Emperor.
Empire and Colonialism in the Modern World (Spring 2017) — Social Studies 98pl
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Empire and Colonialism in the Modern World (Spring 2016) — Social Studies 98pl
This tutorial will expose students to the scholarship on modern empire from across the fields of anthropology, history, law, and political science. Students will be asked to consider the differences and commonalities in empires across space and time. They will also explore how relations of empire and colonialism were constituted through structures of law and of economic relations, as well as how notions of race and culture were shaped by imperial encounters. Finally, the readings for this tutorial will introduce students to a range of methodological approaches to the study of empire, and will invite them to consider the strengths and weaknesses of these different approaches.
Empire and Colonialism in the Modern World (Spring 2018) — Social Studies 98pl
This tutorial will expose students to the scholarship on modern empire from across the fields of anthropology, history, law, and political science. Students will be asked to consider the differences and commonalities in empires across space and time. They will also explore how relations of empire and colonialism were constituted through structures of law and of economic relations, as well as how notions of race and culture were shaped by imperial encounters. Finally, the readings for this tutorial will introduce students to a range of methodological approaches to the study of empire, with an emphasis on historical methods, and will invite them to consider the strengths and weaknesses of these different approaches.
The word 'empire' seems to carry these very much contradicting senses in itself. On the one hand, it contains an idea of romanticism, adventure and cosmopolitism, yet on the other hand it is full of nationalism, racism and militarism. The Longman dictionary of English Language and Culture: "A group of countries that are all controlled by the ruler or government of one country." Interestingly enough, it uses The Roman Empire as example. The Roman Empire is one of the two empires that will directly come to mind, together with the British Empire and has been glorified and abhorred throughout the centuries. Empire thus is an essentially contested concept as both sides still try to depict it as either evil and oppressive or something that has brought unity, stability and prosperity.