This study focuses on Empires, from an economic historical perspective. In doing so, it relates current debates in international relations (IR) and politics to the vexed legacy of empires in the past. The book includes analyses of the comparative scholarly literature on Empire in Antiquity, and Empire in the Early Modern and Modern Ages, asking the question if the United Sates is an Empire, and if China is an emerging Empire. It contributes to the field given its interdisciplinarity, bringing together both historical and IR insights into world systems in times past. In addition, it draws out four key points of separateness between pre-modern and modern empires, and emphases specific economic data. Further to that, the book advances the notion of the emergence of "empires from within" in the 21st century, that is nation-states becoming more multi-ethnic while often stepping back from globalization. And finally it offers future scenarios for the evolution of empires in a Schumpeterian post-industrial world. Niv Horesh is a China specialist with over 20 years of experience ranging across the private sector, public service and academe. Over the course of his academic career, Niv has held teaching and research positions at Hebrew University, China Agricultural University, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Nottingham (UK). Niv's research incorporates four main strands in the following order: Chinese History, World Monetary History, PRC Political Economy, and PRC Foreign Policy with emphasis on the Middle East.