A Comparative Study Of Total Power by Karl Wittfogel
The book in question is a scholarly examination of the concept of 'hydraulic civilization,' a term used to describe societies that manage large-scale water projects such as irrigation and flood control. The author argues that the bureaucratic structures necessary to control water resources in arid regions historically led to the centralization of power and the development of autocratic or despotic forms of government. Through comparative analysis, the work explores how the management of water resources influenced social, economic, and political structures, and how this 'total power' shaped the civilizations in question, with a particular focus on Asia. The study delves into the relationship between natural environments, technological capabilities, and the evolution of political systems.
The 3265th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1957
- Nationality
- German
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Pages
- Unknown
- Words
- Unknown
- Original Language
- Unknown
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This book is on the following lists:
- The Hundred Most Influential Books Since The War (WW2) (Central and East European Publishing Project)