Before the West: The Rise and Fall of Eastern World Orders

Before the West provides a new perspective on the history of (Eur)Asia by challenging the notion of Asia as a residual category and highlighting its unique history and sociopolitical dynamics. It rethinks the concepts of order and decline in international relations and offers a grand narrative of (Eur)Asia as a space connected by overlapping world orders.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The history of international relations in the East has been heavily influenced by the narrative of the Rise of the West and the decline of the East. This narrative assumes that Asia is merely a residual category, a variant of not-Europe, and is defined solely by its encounters with European colonialism. However, what if we approached the history of East Asia as a space with its own distinct history and sociopolitical dynamics, not limited to encounters with European colonialism? This shift in perspective would lead to a reevaluation of our understanding of sovereignty and the causes of the decline of Great Powers and international orders.

Before the West offers a grand narrative of (Eur)Asia as a space connected by normatively and institutionally overlapping successive world orders originating from the Mongol Empire. It challenges the notion that Asia is merely a residual category and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the unique history and sociopolitical dynamics of the region. By doing so, it offers a fresh perspective on the foundational concepts and debates of international relations, such as order and decline.

One of the key insights of Before the West is that the history of (Eur)Asia is not a linear narrative of decline and Western dominance. Instead, it is a complex and multifaceted story that includes periods of growth, innovation, and influence. For example, during the Ming dynasty in China, the East Asian region experienced a period of economic and cultural prosperity, rivaling that of Europe. Similarly, during the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan, the East Asian region was governed by a stable and prosperous government that promoted trade and cultural exchange with the West.

However, the narrative of the Rise of the West and the decline of the East also has its limitations. It assumes that the West is a homogeneous entity and that its values and institutions are universal. This perspective overlooks the diversity of the West and the fact that other regions, such as the Middle East and Africa, have also experienced periods of decline and Western influence.

Before the West also challenges the notion that the decline of Great Powers and international orders is solely due to the actions of Western powers. It recognizes that other factors, such as regional conflicts, economic development, and cultural change, have also played a role in shaping the history of the East. For example, the rise of nationalism in the East Asian region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a series of conflicts that weakened the power of the imperial governments and paved the way for the emergence of new regional powers, such as Japan and China.

In conclusion, Before the West offers a valuable perspective on the history of international relations in the East. It challenges the narrative of the Rise of the West and the decline of the East and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the unique history and sociopolitical dynamics of the region. By doing so, it offers a fresh perspective on the foundational concepts and debates of international relations, such as order and decline. It also recognizes that the history of the East is not a linear narrative of decline and Western dominance, but a complex and multifaceted story that includes periods of growth, innovation, and influence.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108971676
Edition number: New ed