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Empires of the Weak
The Real Story of European Expansion and the Creation of the New World Order
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See moreEmpires of the Weak demonstrates that the rise of the West was an exception in the prevailing world order.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
What accounts for the rise of the state, the creation of the first global system, and the dominance of the West? The conventional answer asserts that superior technology, tactics, and institutions forged by Darwinian military competition gave Europeans a decisive advantage in war over other civilisations from 1500 onward.
In contrast, Empires of the Weak argues that Europeans actually had no general military superiority in the early modern era. J. C. Sharman shows instead that European expansion from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries is better explained by deference to strong Asian and African polities, disease in the Americas, and maritime supremacy earned by default because local land-oriented polities were largely indifferent to war and trade at sea.
Empires of the Weak demonstrates that the rise of the West was an exception in the prevailing world order.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Empires of the Weak by J. C. Sharman challenges the traditional narrative of European military supremacy driving the rise of the West, offering a critical reassessment that highlights Eurocentric biases. The book suggests that European expansion from the 1500s relied more on diplomacy and alliances than on military dominance, reshaping the historical understanding of global politics. It is praised for its insightful analysis and its potential to influence perspectives on international relations and global history.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691210070
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 10 November 2020
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 156.0mm
Height: 235.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 216
About the Author
J. C. Sharman is the Sir Patrick Sheehy Professor of International Relations at the University of Cambridge, where he is a fellow of King's College. His books include The Despot's Guide to Wealth Management, International Order in Diversity, and Outsourcing Empire.
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Empires of the Weak
How the rise of the West was a temporary exception to the predominant world order. What accounts for the rise of the state, the creation of the first global system, and the dominance of the West? The conventional answer asserts that superior technology, tactics, and institutions forged by Darwinian military competition gave Europeans a decisive advantage in war over other...HardbackSold Out -
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