The Armenian genocide exemplifies the brutal struggles faced by a multi-ethnic empire as it sought to transform into a nation-state. This tragic event highlighted the challenges and violence that can arise when different ethnic groups attempt to coexist in the pursuit of national identity. The transformation was not smooth, leading to catastrophic consequences for minority populations like the Armenians.

In Niall Ferguson's book "The Abyss: World War I and the End of the First Age of Globalization," he discusses how the Armenian genocide serves as a stark reminder of the instability that can accompany political change. The collapse of empires often results in conflict, as seen in this instance, where the aspirations of a cohesive national identity led to the persecution of those who were seen as outsiders.