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The Conrad Demarest Model

Learn how the Conrad-Demarest Model can be used to compare and contrast empires, trace changes over time, and explore the preconditions that lead to empire building. Discover the role of resources, ideology, wealth, and population expansion in the rise and fall of empires.

jenniferwilliamson
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The Conrad Demarest Model

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  1. The Conrad Demarest Model Using a representative model to teach comparative empires.

  2. Background • Geoffrey Conrad • Arthur Demarest • Latin-Americanists inspired by the Inca and Aztec empires • Model Can be applied to all empires and used to compare and contrast empires or to trace changes and continuity over time.

  3. The Model • Preconditions which MUST exist but do not necessarily lead to empire building. • Adequate resources • Environmental mosaic • Some form of government which coalesces power • Power vacuum • Large military potential

  4. The Model, Cont • Many places, including the Greek Poleis met the pre-conditions mentioned, what causes an empire to “start?” • Ideology! Religious, philosophical, anything that will help coalesce the masses behind the idea of expansion. • Ideology must endorse and justify warfare and expansion.

  5. It’s all about the $… • Ideology is great, but what does empirical expansion get you? • Wealth from plunder, from trade, control of new resources, and from coercive tribute. • Most often enjoyed by the wealthy, but also distributed to the masses. This “trickle-down” economic benefit serves to cement social hierarchies.

  6. $ Con’t • Expansion also allows you to increase population • More food and land available • Less disease initially as the population density goes down, and food availability goes up. • State-sponsored population increase. • More populated areas tend to be more powerful than less-populated ones. • Native population supported by outlying areas

  7. Size leads to trouble • The bigger the empire, the more costly the expansion • Empires that stop expanding and do not change their ideology tend to begin collapsing • Collapse tends to begin at the edges and creep towards the center. • Empires are inherently unstable!

  8. Homework Complete the Conrad-Demarest Model for the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty Use Chapter 6 for Rome P.181-187 for Han

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