Abstract
Empire is an important and commonly used term that is difficult to define. This is not an isolated case. Similar difficulties are encountered when defining other terms, such as the city. A reason for the difficulty is the historical mutability of the phenomena to be defined. Broadly speaking, there are two ways which allow us to take this historical mutability into consideration.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2011 Michał Tymowski
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tymowski, M. (2011). Early Imperial Formations in Africa and the Segmentation of Power. In: Bang, P.F., Bayly, C.A. (eds) Tributary Empires in Global History. Cambridge Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230307674_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230307674_6
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-230-30841-1
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-30767-4
eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)