Final answer:
The paradox of modern Empires in the 19th and 20th century is that the rise of nationalism and democracy coincided with aggressive overseas empire expansion by European powers. This imperialism shaped future international relations and continued in the form of economic influence by countries like the USA and Russia post-decolonization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Paradox of Modern Empires
During the 19th century and into the 20th century, the concept of Empire carried a fundamental paradox. With the rise of nationalism and the decline of old monarchies, one might expect the notion of empires to wane. However, this period saw a surge in modern imperialism, as European powers extended their rule to continents like Africa and Asia. The paradox lies in the fact that the age of nationalism and emerging ideas about democracy coincided with aggressive new forms of colonial expansion and control. Powerful nations, including those experiencing shifts towards democracy at home, were building vast empires abroad.
The paradox can be visualized with the examples of the British, German, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian Empires, all of which saw their rulers—respectively the Empress, the Kaiser, and the Tsar—wield power that was rooted in tradition, yet overseeing empires that were transforming under industrialization and changing political attitudes. These empires engaged in colonization for resources like diamonds, gold, and oil, with imperialism leading to competition among European states. Ultimately, this imperialism set patterns for future international relations and conflicts even after the wave of decolonization following World War II.
In the later half of the 20th century, despite decolonization, new forms of an 'empire' took shape, primarily characterized by economic influence rather than political rule. Countries such as the United States and Russia became major power players on the global stage, asserting their dominance through economic and political means, thus continuing the legacy of modern empires albeit in a different guise. This illustrates how the nature of empires evolved from land-based territorial conquests to more subtle forms of global influence.