1. China is more than a country, but a civilization that has "many Chinas inside" as if europe was a country now

1. China is more than a country, but a civilization that has "many Chinas inside" as if europe was a country now.

2. China had it's "own Roman Empire" but instead of falling and bring it's world into darkness it was either absorbed or changed leadership from time to time.

What books does Veeky Forums recommend to go in-depth about these topics?

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Hm. If Europe was a country where would the capital be located and what would be the official language?

Paris
French

Maybe today, but anytime before the modern age, Rome, still French though.

Brussels
English
xD

>China had it's "own Roman Empire" but instead of falling and bring it's world into darkness it was either absorbed or changed leadership from time to time.
Not really.

A big part of Imperial Autism in Europe was the concept of "Successor to Rome." That is, who bore the legacy of the Roman empire either via formal ceremony or linkages to the old Empire.

China never head such a concept. Instead, they had the concept of Tianxia (meaning All-Under-Heaven, but also means "The Empire." and for the longest time, China's initial name) whose rule passes on to the bearer of the Mandate of Heaven, who gains it by bringing the country to peace, stability, prosperity, and strength, and can lose it by not bringing peace, stability, prosperity, and strength. Wherein it was the duty of the subjects of Tianxia to look for someone who could bring it back together.

In addition there was no concept of "Dark Ages" in China. Periods of Chaos, yes, but the meme "aaaaagh we lost so much knowledge and civilization" just didn't happen to their culture. For many, the fall of a dynasty and the search for its successor was the natural way of Empire.

In addition a lot of the "advancements" in Chinese history happened during periods of chaos. The Warring States gave birth to the concept of the Unified Centralized State. The Three KIngdoms period and the Northern/Southern Dynasties destroyed the last remnants of feudal nobility and led to the full control of meritocratic aristocracy. The arts even tended to bloom because many contenders to the throne simply meant many patrons to choose from. So, while Chinks lamented the killings, they didn't feel like civilization was ending.

Thanks for the clarification.

London
English

chinese meritocracy is best form of government

I think "guns, germs, amd steel" does.

Guy argues that europe and china were identical, but europes geography was a deciding factor that let them remained separated. Couldn't conquer their neighbours so started colonizing. While china focused on retaining what it had.