week 6

            We must be cautious when comparing different empires. Though minor comparisons can sometimes help clarify certain themes, larger comparisons can be dangerous and distort the topic at hand. First and foremost, many people try to compare historical events/topics which differ in time, place and context. Second, values and beliefs between different peoples come from their own historical backgrounds which are, more often than not, unique to their specific ethnic group. Also, it is easy to get sidetracked when multiple themes are brought into a discussion. Regardless, comparisons should not even be attempted until one understands the context of the topic under discussion.

            Conrad and Demarest do compare and contrast the Aztec and Inca empires. However, they do not compare the two until after they discuss both entities individually. Then and only then do they analyze them side by side. Also, they compare two empires which parallel each other; both empires are in the same geographical region and transpire about the same time period. The same ideological factors that were responsible for imperial expansion for both empires caused their demise. Conrad and Demarest make it clear that there are major differences between the two empires. For clarification and contextual purposes, they are successfully able to compare the Aztec and Inca. Conversely, they do reason that one must fully understand “the ideology in cultural evolution” to achieve “a broader comparative perspective.” However, Conrad and Demarest know the dangers of comparisons, which is why they do not discuss empires outside of Mesoamerica and the Andes.