Two bandits or more? The case of Viking Age England
Gert Tinggaard Svendsen
The Olsonian distinction between roving and stationary bandits outlines the rationale behind transition from anarchy to emergence of predatory state. This two-bandit model may, however, be expanded include more bandit types. In case Viking Age England, local English kings were unable monopolize violence defend their realms against competing raiders. As Vikings’ time horizon grew, so did accumulated value formal taxation, types evolved in four steps. first step is bandit, who executed hit-and-run attacks plunders during second half tenth century. gafol bandit; payment for leaving, paid to, among others, Swein Forkbeard. third heregeld a tax support an army hire; most notably Thorkell Tall’s. fourth i.e. strongest military leader Vikings, Cnut Great, settled down as new king. Overall, can four-bandit staircase model, which explain steps short-run raiding long-run taxation
Public Choice|Scopus (Elsevier)