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In western China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, development is characterized by a difficult political & social situation. Huge state investments, as well as the development of large oil & cotton industries, have led to economic growth & a standard of living that ranks among the highest of China's western provinces & regions. Despite this, groups among the region's inhabitants show great discontent with the Chinese administration. Separatism, terrorism, human rights violation & ruthless exploitation of the region's resources are equally important parts of Xinjiang's recent history as economic development & the improved standard of living. In the midst of this situation Xinjiang's Bingtuan, a group of state-run, formerly military, farming units, plays an important role as a regional development agent & as a Chinese controlling body. Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.

This article discusses the historical background & content of Lenin's work on imperialism as the most evolved form of capitalism. This work, originally published in 1916, has captured renewed attention because of events on the international socio-economic stage. Lenin's distinction between capitalistic imperialism & military imperialism became a determining factor in the self-understanding of Marxists throughout the world, particularly in under-developed regions. In addition, this distinction also became a pivotal factor in Russian understanding of the revolution as a truly social revolution, thereby acting as a critical instrument in the country's understanding of its own history. Lenin's thinking is here also considered from a contemporary standpoint in which capitalism exists on a global scale. His view that social & political life in any given place would become increasingly dependent on what developments took place elsewhere is thereby suggested to be well ahead of its time in this respect. C Brunski

This article provides an outline of the history of the American Empire's rise and transformations. The analysis examines the political situation in America around 1800 when the country was established as a republic at a time when international imperialism was prevalent with still powerful British, French, and Spanish empires. The article argues that the territorial expansion within the North American continent was conducted within the realms of imperial ideology, although, unlike other empires, once included in the empire each state became an equal participant in the central authority. The article poses a new type of empire that have emerged in America following the second world war; an American Empire based on international alliances for the purpose of international and national security based on voluntary participation, although subject to economic support or sanction. The article suggests that the war on terrorism has brought power politics and alliances that mirror classic imperial ideals, with an increase in military presence to enforce imperial alliances. The author concludes that based on the problems experienced with imperialistic use of power in Afghanistan and Iraq it is unlikely that the U.S. is establishing a new classical empire. This article is one in a series of articles on the topic of empires. References. E. Sundby