ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the aspects that impact the rise and fall of states/empires. It includes how and when new powers create themselves and how they rise to a peak and finally collapse, leaving behind a power vacuum to be filled by new systems and state structures. The chapter also introduces the aspect of 'historical mechanisms' with a number of scientific metaphors in order to find historical patterns in the rise and fall of states. It reviews the ideas of Machiavelli and applies them to the rise and fall of states. The chapter assesses the geopolitical, but also environmental aspect of states and empires which does not only include natural resources or borders, but also the influence of climate in the development of empires. It analyses the role of the power-centre of an empire to the periphery. The chapter also analyses the strength and power of a power-state, empire or modern superpower.
