Models of State Origins

Ola Olsson ()
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Ola Olsson: University of Gothenburg

Chapter 12 in Paleoeconomics, 2024, pp 273-284 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract In this chapter, I start by defining states as distinct from other forms of social organization such as paramount chiefdoms. I argue that key indicators of early states include the existence of major urban centers with kings, massive monuments, a codified language, standardized measurements and contracts, a state bureaucracy, and long-distance exchange. I then present select theories of early state formation related to agricultural intensification, irrigation, environmental circumscription, the territorial expansion of roving bandit-kings, and the transparency and appropriability of agricultural output. The kings or elites of such states typically controlled three major types of assets: religious capital, technological knowledge/human capital, and violence capital.

Keywords: States; Paramount chiefdom; Codified language; State bureaucracy; Kings; Environmental circumscription; Roving bandit; Irrigation hypothesis; Religious capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-52784-5_12

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-52784-5_12

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