Understanding Endogenous Empires

Endogenous empires, such as the Chinese and Persian empires, are characterized by their ability to develop from their own resources and to govern effectively over vast territories with diverse populations. The Persian empire exemplifies this model through its 'Swiss cheese' governance structure, focusing on delegating authority to local rulers who could maintain peace and order while fulfilling tax obligations to the central empire. In contrast, the Chinese model reflects a 'Chinese cheese' approach, wherein a centralized bureaucracy directly administers all regions, leaving little room for local autonomy. This fundamental difference in governance strategy significantly influenced the political dynamics and stability of these empires throughout their histories.