Espreso. Global
OPINION

Peripheral independence spells doom for Russia

31 March, 2024 Sunday
15:48

"Why Empires Fall" redefines decline, places focus on periphery dynamics, challenges Gibbon's thesis. Its relevance to events today suggests that regional success can accelerate the empire's demise

client/title.list_title

I started reading the book “Why Empires Fall” by Cambridge economist John Rapley and historian from the Royal College of London Peter Heather. The book positions itself as a revolution in our understanding of imperial decline.

The main thesis proclaimed from the very first pages is that the decline of empires is primarily caused by processes unfolding on the peripheries, rather than within the metropolises.

Well, we knew this in the 20th century as national liberation movements, but the authors apply the same thesis to the Roman Empire, using data from archaeological research of the last half-century to debunk Gibbon's classical thesis that Rome declined economically over a long period of time and eventually collapsed definitively.

Shortly before its collapse, the authors argue, Rome was at the peak of its economic growth. The causes of decline were on the periphery: local elites became much more autonomous than the imperial center desired.

"Applying this model to the present-day Russian Empire and Ukraine as its recently independent colonies suggests that our economic and political success spells the demise of the empire, even when the newly revitalized Ukraine does not pose a direct threat to Russia (such as in terms of market competition, etc.)."

The Russian invasion aims to delay an inevitable process. They believe time can be halted and reversed. But we know they've learned history poorly.

That's why our task is not just to survive but to become successful. It's the death of Koshchey. I'll write about Koshchey another time.

Furthermore, it's crucial for the Caucasus, Volga region, and Siberia to move forward. The independence of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Ingushetia, Sakha-Yakutia, and other capable republics will spell the end of the empire. Then, a different history will begin. Medieval kingdoms and early modern cities were not descendants of the Roman Empire; it was a completely different story.

We can wait for it to happen, or we can accelerate this process. We can significantly accelerate this process. The choice is ours.

Source

About the author. Valeriy Pekar, lecturer at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Saturday
7 September
19:50
OPINION
None of us chose this horror. Putin did
19:27
Launcher for Iranian Fath-360
Defense Express explains threat of Iranian-made Fath-360 missiles supplied to Russia
19:00
Exclusive
If Ukraine continues to fight according to Soviet doctrine, it will lose war - Colonel Grant
18:30
Ukraine start using fire-spewing ‘dragon drones' on frontline - CNN
18:04
Ukraine demands to remove 'Russians at War' film from Toronto Film Festival
17:36
Exclusive
"Intensity will increase": analyst Yizhak on frontline in coming months
17:16
Updated
Ukrainian drones target ammo depot with North Korean missiles in Russia’s Voronezh region
17:11
Eight Russian attack drones fly into Belarus from Ukraine - monitoring exerts
16:53
Ukrainian forces battle Russian army in Vovchansk high-rise buildings
16:25
Exclusive
West will eventually permit long-range strikes against Russia, Ukrainian politician says
15:58
Russia stops supplying drinking water to Lysychansk, where there is no water supply for 3 years
15:50
Updated
Russia attacks Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk region, killing one, injuring 82 people
15:29
Exclusive
Russia will definitely launch counteroffensive to force AFU out of Kursk - Colonel Grant
15:00
Exclusive
Over 1,300 people from Mariupol garrison remain in Russian captivity
14:36
Ukrainian drones can hit Russian military targets at 1,800 km distance - intelligence chief
13:59
Updated
Russian troops shell Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region, killing at least 3 locals
13:30
187 firefights registered in frontline over last day: Russia attacks in 12 directions
12:59
Review
24th Ramstein meeting, new missiles from US, fighting in Kurakhove sector. Military review
12:20
Poland should shoot down Russian missiles in Ukraine if they threaten NPPs, Sikorski says
11:55
ISW: Iran provides Russia with ballistic missiles, expecting to get Su-35 aircraft in return
11:30
Exclusive
Ukrainian army stops Russia's advance in Kupyansk sector - 92nd Brigade Commander Fedorenko
11:03
Ukrainian air defense forces destroy 58 Russian Shahed drones overnight: some flew to Russia, Belarus, and Luhansk region
10:17
29 artillery systems and 1,270 troops: Russian army losses at frontline in a day
2024, Friday
6 September
21:27
Ukraine's first month in Russia’s Kursk region: overview
21:06
"This will not be game-changer": U.S. on decision to block Ukraine from striking deep into Russia
20:45
Netherlands to send F-16 spare parts, air-to-air missiles to Ukraine
20:27
Exclusive
ATACMS insufficient for targeting Russian airfields, Ukraine requires longer-range missiles – Defense Express
20:00
"Russia to capture Pokrovsk, Selydove, Kurakhove, Chasiv Yar soon": foreign manipulations for September 6
19:42
Germany announces new military aid to Ukraine, including howitzers, Leopard tanks
19:20
102 combat clashes occur at front, Kurakhove sector faces heavy fighting
18:56
U.S. announces new $250 million military assistance for Ukraine at Ramstein meeting
18:35
Exclusive
Putin acknowledges defeat in Kursk operation - Ukraine's General Malomuzh
18:16
Over 35,000 people remain in Pokrovsk community as Russian army nears
17:55
PT-91 Twardy
Ukraine uses Poland's PT-91 Twardy tanks in Kursk region, without asking separate permit
17:32
RT pays American influencers for anti-Ukrainian statements
17:10
Video showing execution of Ukrainian POW posted online: Ukraine appeals to UN, ICRC
16:53
Ukraine's long-range attack drones
AFU shows glimpse of how Ukraine's long-range drones get ready for take-off to strike Russia
16:30
UK to provide Ukraine with LMM missiles: what they can shoot down
16:10
OPINION
Why Ukraine's prime minister hasn't been replaced?
15:53
OPINION
Yermak's government. How West and society failed to appreciate changes in Ukrainian government
More news