Historical Government: Origins, Evolution and Varieties

Leander Heldring

No 34370, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This chapter reviews the origins, evolution, and modern forms of government, and proposes a research agenda. It contends that rather than being a homogeneous form of patrimonialism, early government was diverse and, at times, fostered order and prosperity. Its subsequent development did not follow an ‘evolutionary’ path to rational-legal government but was characterized by innovation and frequent collapse. Successful modern states do not all look alike, but follow several different models, as historical states have done.

JEL-codes: D74 H10 N20 N40 O43 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo and nep-his
Note: DEV POL
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