Forms of State Structure: Terminological Aspect of the Concept of Empire

The growth of territorial mobility and ethnocultural diversity determines the search for new models of domestic and foreign policy. As a result, the almost forgotten word "empire" returns to scientific and journalistic discourses. This applies to both domestic and foreign practice. Objective. Terminological certainty and conceptual consistency is the key to scientific effectiveness. The present research featured various interpretations of the concept of empire. The author intended neither to oppose nor to promote the imperial form of government. The research objective was to contribute to a more complete and impartial understanding of the term by removing its negative connotation. Research methodology. The article represents the results of theoretical and comparative analyses of the concept of empire as a form of government. Results. Based on domestic and foreign studies, the author reviewed various interpretations of the concept of empire. The article focuses on its multidimensionality, debatability, and modern interpretations. Implementation. The heterogeneity of territories, periods, and management mechanisms of various empires can serve as a kind of prism for assessing modern realities and social strategies. Conclusions. Due to their historical diversity, various types of imperial government fail to fit into the same scheme. If the empire is a "transnational polity", then this form of state and political organization is neither archaic nor obsolete.