Empire vs Nation State
Russia is wrong to attack another sovereign state. The incursion is indefensible. The leaders of the free world must stop this. Defending Ukraine is obvious and necessary. For the sake of debate, let me play with the above assumptions – which I suspect most of us hold with conviction.
In 1914 over 85% of the world’s land was under the rule of an empire, and around 70% of the world’s population. Empire, and not nation state has historically been the most common and stable form of government across the globe.
In 1453 the Turks, under Mehmed the Conqueror, attacked Istanbul (then Constantinople). The Turks (aka The Ottoman Empire) defeated the last vestiges of the Roman Empire. Yes – you read correctly. The residents of Constantinople were Byzantine Christians, supported by Genoese (Italian) Christian allies.
The city of Constantinople was founded by the Christian Roman Emperor in 330 AD. The Romans had defeated the region in 74 BC. When Mehmed II attacked the city, the residents defended themselves as Roman Christians. They had come to see Roman rule not as occupation, but as a gift that brought peace, civilisation and prosperity.
Why do we recoil at Empire, and assume the nation state is proper? Historian Tom Holland suggests three reasons. In the Bible, Empires are evil. Be they real like the Assyrians, or apocalyptic like the Babylonian Empire of the Book of Revelations, Empires oppose the people of God. Second, we are aware of previous injustices committed by Empires. Third, we value self-determination – something we imagine Empires oppose.
In short, for three distinctly Christian reasons (biblical meta-narrative, ethics, and freedom) we loathe Empire. Yet I suggest the Bible is not inherently anti-Empire or pro nation-state. Both can be vehicles used for good or evil.
One can perceive Russia and China as two emerging totalitarian Empires that are evil, and protecting the nation state is the solution. There is truth here, but also assumption. The USA is Empire-like, both in its formation and present posture. The European Union, and British PM Keir Starmer’s coalition of the willing are also Empire-like in their present response. Furthermore, not all nation states are presently moving towards justice and freedom.
Christians, and Christian nations ought to be agents of justice in a fallen world. This imperative remains. In the 20th Century, in part that looked like dismantling Empire. I don’t know what it will look like in this Century, but we must try. All the more, I eagerly await the coming of another Kingdom.