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I get where you're coming from. I think what the article should have said was, Europe has geography that favors multiple independent stable nation states, where
by civilized 3y ago
I get where you're coming from. I think what the article should have said was, Europe has geography that favors multiple independent stable nation states, whereas Chinese geography, while it has certainly hosted many competing dynasties over the centuries, does not favor multiple stable nation states. Basically, it's too easy to conquer the whole, so it's been done many times.
- peterfirefly 3y agoYes, if only the major rivers in China were different... The Yellow River and the Yangtze River systems are so close that it isn't realistic to have long-term control over one and not the other. And controlling both gives you a fantastic base from which to conquer your surroundings.
- contingencies 3y agoRice, rice, baby. - Vanilla Ice, on Chinese political anthropology. Come 'n try to snatch my crops. - James Scott, on Zomian political anthropology.