Origins of City-States
David Stasavage
This chapter examines the origins of European city-states. It has long been observed that within Europe, autonomous cities tended to emerge in a relatively narrow belt stretching from Low Countries northern Italy, and this empirical observation generated variety explanations. Answering question is critical conceptualization broad process state formation Europe. The asks why city-states emerged some regions first place, whereas elsewhere territorial states became dominant mode organization. considers principal existing explanation for pattern city-state development, Rokkan/Tilly hypothesis, compares it with Carolingian partition hypothesis. Results tests show were able Europe's central core because was where political control collapsed greatest extent after Empire.
Princeton University Press eBooks