The rise and decline of the state

Martin van Creveld9780521651905, 0-521-65190-5, 052165629X

The state, which since the middle of the seventeenth century has been the most important of all modern institutions, is in decline. From Western Europe to Africa, many existing states are either combining into larger communities or falling apart. Many of their functions are likely to be taken over by a variety of organizations that, whatever their precise nature, are not states. In this unique volume Martin van Creveld traces the story of the state from its beginnings to its end. Starting with the simplest political organizations that ever existed, he guides the reader through the origins of the state, its development, its apotheosis during the two World Wars, and its spread from its original home in Western Europe to cover the globe. In doing so, he provides a fascinating history of government from its origins to the present day. This original book will of interest to historians, political scientists and sociologists.

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Table of contents :
Contents……Page 5
Preface……Page 7
1 – Before the state: prehistory to AD 1300……Page 9
2 – The rise of the state: 1300 to 1648……Page 67
3 – The state as an instrument: 1648 to 1789……Page 134
4 – The state as an ideal: 1789 to 1945……Page 197
5 – The spread of the state: 1696 to 1975……Page 271
6 – The decline of the state: 1975 -……Page 344
Conclusions: beyond the state……Page 423
Index……Page 430