Oriental Despotism by Karl August Wittfogel
A Comparative Study of Total Power
"Oriental Despotism" presents a theory that ancient bureaucratic societies, particularly those in Asia, developed as a result of the need to manage large-scale irrigation systems. The author argues that the control of water resources in arid regions led to the creation of centralized, autocratic power structures, which he terms "hydraulic despotisms." These governments wielded significant control over their subjects, as the management and distribution of water was crucial for agriculture and survival. The book explores how this form of governance influenced the political and social structures of various Eastern civilizations, contrasting them with Western societies that developed under different ecological conditions.
The 4191st greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1957
- Nationality
- German
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 556
- Original Language
- English
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- Alternate Titles
- - A Comparative Study Of Total Power
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This book is on the following 2 lists:
- 100 Best Non-Fiction Books (in Translation) of the 20th Century … and Beyond (Counterpunch)
- The Hundred Most Influential Books Since The War (WW2) (Central and East European Publishing Project)