This article defines the concept of empire in historic and political terms before applying it to the modern, US-led world order, described asthe latest reincarnation of the Roman Empire, with a similar universal claim and self-imposed civilising mission. The United Nations plays a role akin to the medieval Catholic Church while the US tends to act as the emperors of old. However, this post World War Two system is waning as several challengers arise. Samuel P Huntington called them civilisations, but some also qualify as empires. All of them have three options—to integrate with the West dominated global system, peacefully coexist with it as allies or rivals or fight it for supremacy. While India may choose the first option, Russia seems to favour the second while China could embrace the third, perhaps with the support of the Islamic world.
