Turbulent Empires

Mike Mason's Turbulent Empires explores the complex interplay of global politics, focusing on American dominance and the rise of Asian economies in the postwar era.

In Turbulent Empires, Mike Mason delves into the intricate dynamics of global politics, focusing on the influence of American hegemony alongside the emergence of Asian economies. Following World War II, Europe began its reconstruction, while former colonies sought independence, coinciding with the United States expanding its political and economic reach worldwide. Mason meticulously analyzes the struggles for post-colonial sovereignty and economic supremacy, illustrating how these competing forces have led to conflicts and evolving alliances in the postwar landscape.

The narrative traverses major regions including Africa, Asia, Latin America, Russia, and the West, shedding light on the nationalist ruling classes determined to exert control over their economic resources. Turbulent Empires highlights the tumultuous events that resulted in unexpected realignments and dramatic reversals, such as the rise and fall of various regimes, ongoing interventions in the Muslim world, the abrupt end of the commodities supercycle, and the persistent issue of inequality.

As the twenty-first century unfolded, the global economic crisis of 2008 prompted discussions about a potential new world order, while the notion of American decline became widely recognized, epitomized by the phrase Make America Great Again. Written in an engaging manner, Turbulent Empires offers a comprehensive analysis of political and economic history, serving as an excellent introduction to postwar political science, history, and development studies.