The Sources of Social Power: Volume 3, Global Empires and Revolution, 1890–1945

This third volume of Michael Mann's analytical history of social power focuses on the interrelated development of capitalism, nation-states and empires.

Michael Mann (Author)

9781107655478, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 September 2012

520 pages
22.6 x 15.2 x 3.3 cm, 0.69 kg

'Mann comes closer to his 'history of power in human societies' in these two volumes than in the previous ones. It is hard to think of other works of this scope by social scientists. … Readers looking for something like a truly global history of power over the past century and a half will find much to ponder here. The overarching result is predictable, considering the author: Mann tackles these topics masterfully. He explains each development with élan, sometimes upending dominant interpretations and often pushing at the edges of received wisdom … These last two volumes, along with the previous two, will be read and reread for generations to come.' Julian Go, International Affairs

Distinguishing four sources of power - ideological, economic, military and political - this series traces their interrelations throughout human history. This third volume of Michael Mann's analytical history of social power begins with nineteenth-century global empires and continues with a global history of the twentieth century up to 1945. Mann focuses on the interrelated development of capitalism, nation-states and empires. Volume 3 discusses the 'Great Divergence' between the fortunes of the West and the rest of the world; the self-destruction of European and Japanese power in two world wars; the Great Depression; the rise of American and Soviet power; the rivalry between capitalism, socialism and fascism; and the triumph of a reformed and democratic capitalism.

1. Introduction
2. Globalization imperially fractured: the British Empire
3. America and its empire in the Progressive Era, 1890–1930
4. Asian empires: fallen dragon, rising sun, 1890–1930
5. Half-global crisis: World War I
6. Explaining revolutions: phase I, proletarian revolutions, 1917–23
7. Half-global crisis: the Great Depression
8. The New Deal: America shifts left
9. Varieties of social citizenship in capitalist democracies
10. The fascist alternative, 1918–45
11. The Soviet alternative, 1918–45
12. Japanese imperialism, 1931–45
13. Explaining the Chinese revolution
14. The last inter-imperial war and the fall of the fascist alternative, 1939–45
15. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Sociology [JHB], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], General & world history [HBG]