Building States—Inherently a Long-Term Process? An Argument from Comparative History
Thomas Ertman
In his contribution to this volume,Dietrich Rueschemeyer has presented an “argument from theory” that explores the extent which state building is inherently long-term process.At first glance,the European experience would seem imply it most certainly is,since of continent’s polities can point developmental histories span many centuries. Yet not interested in just any kind building, but rather sort leads emergence and consolidation “effective” states, those constructed around modern bureaucracies famously analyzed by Max Weber. Viewed perspective, case appears more ambiguous, for was patrimonial ratherr than “modern” predominated there throughout much medieval early periods. Furthermore, when breakthroughs a effective form organization finally occurred beginning 1600s, they did so at varying speeds under diverse circumstances, thereby rendering generalizations difficult though, I hope show, impossible.
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