Imperial overstretch

File:The Papal Belvedere.jpg

One example of Imperial overstretch was when the papacy, preoccupied with expanding the Papal States, allowed the Reformation to escalate beyond its control, as illustrated in a series of woodcuts (1545) usually referred to as the or (English: 'mocking depictions of the Pope'), by Lucas Cranach, commissioned by Martin Luther. Title: Kissing the Pope's Feet. German peasants respond to a papal bull of Pope Paul III. Caption reads: "Don't frighten us Pope, with your ban, and don't be such a furious man. Otherwise we shall turn around and show you our rears."Template:Rp

Imperial overstretch, also known as imperial overreach, describes the situation in which an empire extends itself beyond its military-economic capabilities and often collapses as a result. The idea was popularised by Yale University historian Paul Kennedy in his 1987 book The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. The idea was expanded upon by Jack Snyder in his 1991 book Myths of Empire.

According to Jack Snyder, imperial overstretch happens when notions that security can best be achieved through imperial expansion guide policymakers. Snyder refers to these ideas as "myths of empire", as they tend to be counterproductive.

Paul Kennedy's view has been criticised from many directions, including by the postmodern historiographer Hayden White, economic historian Niall Ferguson and Marxist writers such as Perry Anderson and Alex Callinicos.

See also

• Societal collapse