ABSTRACT
This chapter considers different types of examples in order to show how the discussed theoretical aspects of 'historical mechanisms' can be used when analysing the history of empires or nation states. The chosen countries are Germany, Russia, Turkey, China, India, the USA, England, Brasilia, France, Greece and Iraq. Some of these states and empires have been power-centres several times, whereas others have risen from the periphery and as a colony to a power-centre, others have remained in a power-vacuum for millennia. Germany has become the latest economic super-power of Europe since 2010, making all other European states dependent on the success of the largest economy. Russia's mix of quantities and qualities is a product of its geographical position—immense distances from centres of civilization which is decisive for its growth to the great powers and is influenced by Constantinople/Byzantium in the South; Italy, France and England in the West.
