Liberal Barbarism: The European Destruction of the Palace of the Emperor of China

The destruction of the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) by French and British troops in 1860 was not an erratic act but a calculated performance rooted in liberalism's confrontation with resistance. Erik Ringmar's analysis reveals this vandalism as a strategic move to instill fear in China and assert Western dominance, marking a pivotal moment in the decline of the Qing Dynasty's Sino-centric international system. Drawing on British and French historical sources, the study reconstructs the motives behind the demolition while contextualizing it within broader societal and political frameworks. This work provides insight into how liberal ideals, when met with defiance, could manifest as barbarism, reshaping global power dynamics.

Jerden, B. (2015). Liberal Barbarism: The European Destruction of the Palace of the Emperor of China. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 15(2), 397–399. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcv003