is called i. the tendency on the part of a State to extend its political domination, economic, cultural and other countries, either by peaceful means than force. Eventually, the hegemonic state exercises a monopoly of force and imposes its law on other states. The i. can be seen as a sort of order between states, is for the equivalent within a state. The logic is the same, but placed at a different level.
4.1. Imperialism in the history
imperialist policies have been implemented continuously in the course of history (the last interpretation, which is developing before our eyes, is that of the U.S.), but no empire has resisted the pressure of time. As the i. is a common feature in the history of all times, the term typically refers to the colonial policies pursued by some Western countries, mainly Britain, France and Germany, followed by USA and Japan, between the mid-nineteenth century and World War II. It is the mature period of industrial capitalism, in which important state business groups and financial services, acting on a multinational level, dominate the market, to monopolize, and dictate the rules, also influence the political choices of the various countries concerned.
4.2. The causes of imperialism
One possible explanation of the self. is as follows: a world of sovereign states is in fact, as Rothbard points out, an anarchic world (2000: 305). Now, until the various heads of state are in balance of power, they are respected as equals, and when decisions need to be international, we consult and seek mutual approval. But it can happen that a dominus far exceed all others in power, who fear him and bend to his will, to elevate to the rank of Emperor. This is what happened in the past, until less than a century ago. Today with the spread of the DR, the figure of the emperor has virtually disappeared and was replaced by that of the President, but in essence the result is not changed much. Today there are more
emperors, but the idea of \u200b\u200bi. is still there. I. All forms of past and present, are based on what we might call the 'principle of superiority, "which can be interpreted in different ways. A country can develop an idea of \u200b\u200bsuperiority on the basis of religion, for example, feel predestined to dominate the earth by the will of a god, or because subjugated by the charismatic qualities of a leader (Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Macedonian), or because they have military techniques, weapons such as the availability of iron (Hittites), the use of the horse (Hittites), a better organization (CHF), or a combination of these factors (Romans, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, European colonizers). In any event, the foundation of all empire is there any idea of \u200b\u200bsuperiority that warrants the conduct of one country against others, which can be limited to the simple control of resources, but can also in real actions of conquest and explicit domain. In this respect, the i. similar to nationalism (see http://scuoladidemocrazia-stato-nazione.blogspot.com/).
4.3. Organization political empire
Normally, a newly elected emperor eliminates the most dangerous enemies and enslave the rest, and divide the fruits of achievements with those who have served faithfully, promising to protect their status in exchange for a tribute and promise, oath to continue to be faithful, to provide military support in case of his request. Is established as the typical relationship of vassalage, which link a monarch with great lords of lesser rank, makes possible the existence of broad and stable political organizations, which we call "empire."
Within each vassal of the empire is sovereign in their own home and can freely decide impose taxes and chores, administer justice, to decide war or peace, with one limitation: that of having to declare a regular basis, and to demonstrate by deeds, their loyalty to the emperor. For its part, the emperor can not be everywhere and can not personally control the fidelity of his vassals. In fact he will have to choose a place or places of residence and will have use of their officials, who affianchino in his work of government. Will also have a standing army, which will use both to ensure the loyalty of vassals, and to guard against the risk of external attacks, and for possible further action to conquer. Officials and military receive the money directly from the emperor who, in turn, derives from the tax imposed on the subjects. On the whole the system seems like a huge private property of the emperor, his vassals and the vassals of vassals, who take a special status, that is a noble title and, taken together, constitute the aristocratic class.
To prevent the death of the sovereign is causing them furious struggles for the succession, spread the habit of transmitting power by inheritance, and thus affirmed the dynastic principle. The problem is that the rulers are not always endowed with the qualities necessary to govern a state and it is inevitable that sometimes someone take advantage of it to overthrow the rightful king and establish a new dynasty. No empire, however, may continue for an indefinite time because it is impossible to eliminate all the internal factors of disintegration, nor set up and properly address the dangers progengono outside.
Even a skilled and capable ruler, and at the height of power, find it hard to keep everything under control, especially in the more inaccessible areas of his kingdom and in the border areas, where they can form groups of outlaws, who lost no opportunity to attack travelers and villages, during a robbery. Usually these groups do not constitute a real threat to the legitimate sovereign, but sometimes creates favorable conditions for even a small gang leader can become so powerful that overthrow. The skills required are: initiative, organizational skills, determination, charisma, ruthlessness and blind faith in ideals, strong self-esteem and a lot of luck. Whoever possesses these qualities, though of humble origins, can put at the head of an armed gang and give the raids and looting, enrich, enhance and groped her after the conquest of a fortress or a city, and conquer other territories and other cities.
At all times, there have been examples of empires created by leaders, generals, religious fanatics and adventurers from lower social classes and constantly looking for opportunities to acquire resources and power, as Sargon, the creator of the first empire in history, Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty, Genghis Khan and Timur Lang, also founders of great empires.
4.4. The role of law
Although established by force, an empire can have a long life thanks to the law, which gives legitimacy to the emperor and stability to the political system he created. The law states that the sovereign is entitled to govern because he received his power from God and, usually, the public does not find it hard to accept this principle, even if everyone is able to notice that, in reality, the power originates by the force. This ambiguity emerges in Europe, where, after the fall of Rome, on the one hand is the custom, under which the emperor was anointed by God through the hands of the pope, on the other hand it also happens that both the emperor to walk on head the crown with his own hands. Long live the two models, but in the end neither able to assert itself, until, with the famous Golden Bull (1356), Charles IV, in order to finally escape the imperial title from the papal jurisdiction, provides that the emperor should be appointed by seven electors of Germany.
the bubble, however, does not terminate the question of the origin of power and, centuries, popes and emperors will continue to be considered the only sources of political power, after God of course, and, as such, qualified to dispense titles, in the framework of a partial admixture of secular and religious sphere. With these assumptions, we understand how the Holy Roman Empire, which was inaugurated in 962, thanks to an agreement between Otto I and Pope John XII, will survive until 1806.
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