Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Political Science

Committee Chair

Joe Hagan

Committee Co-Chair

John Kilwein

Committee Member

John Kilwein

Committee Member

Jason MacDonald

Committee Member

Robert Duval

Abstract

Although on the surface empires appear to be ancient and irrelevant political constructs from a distant past, I argue in this dissertation that even after the empire officially dissolves, the core of the bygone empire continues its political existence in the mindsets of the empire-bearing people. This is mainly explained through certain imperial memories, glories and traumas, that have permeated into these states’ identities. In these so-called post-imperial states, then, such a unique experience of having functioned as an empire translates into foreign policy behavior that is patterned, predictable, but also puzzling especially regarding certain issues with an imperial baggage. By analyzing the post-imperial foreign policy choices of three states– Russia, Turkey, China– through the lens of the paradigms of neorealism, constructivism/Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Domestic Politics, I show how post-empires cycle through the phases of (1) acquiescence, (2) rebuilding, (3) revival, and eventually (4) overcommitment/decline. The findings indicate that after the loss of the empire, the successor states first acquiesce into the international order set up by the victorious status quo powers and formulate complacent and reactive foreign policies. Second, based on certain external shocks which signal that they are not accepted as an equal partner, they will engage in rebuilding of material capabilities and follow cooperative policies aiming to be fully integrated into the global order. Third, if the post-empires’ power and prestige are increased but still not admitted into the club of status quo powers, they will experience a revival of imperial consciousness and follow more proactive, independent, bold and aggressive policies. In this stage, they will be more likely to engage in self-defeating and risky behaviors. And finally, once resources are overcommitted to such risky policies, the post-empires will fall into decline. With this theory, my dissertation greatly contributes to our understanding of empires but also provides the missing link between the evolution of imperial identities and contemporary state behavior in the post-Cold War liberal international order.

Download

Share

COinS