Major Development Of The Modern State example essay topic

The definition of a modern state is debatable, but for the purpose of this essay the definition 'a distinct form of public power, separate from both ruler and ruled and forming the political authority within certain defined boundaries', (Chapter 2, Unit 1, p 73) appears appropriate. A modern state has four main features: fixed territorial boundaries, a monopoly on force and the means of coercion, impersonal and sovereign political order and the legitimacy to represent the needs and interests of its citizens. This form of state was to become a common feature of the entire global system. This essay will outline the main historical forces which have contributed to the development of the modern state; warfare, the growth of capitalism, and the process of democratization. The historical period covered is from the seventeenth century, following the English Civil War (1640-88) and the French Revolution (1789). Warfare would appear to be central to the development of the modern state.

Competition among states was largely driven by insecurity and vast amounts of capital were needed to enable a state to be secure. A state would need to be prepared to go to war to secure its territorial boundaries. In turn neighboring states, feeling insecure at their neighbor's war preparation, would also need to arm. A vicious circle of insecurity referred to as the 'security dilemma' (ibid p 95).

Another reason for states to maintain fully equipped armies was the leverage this would possibly give them in negotiations with other states. The ability of a state to secure and / or extend its boundaries was dependant upon the resources available and its ability to extract these resources from the citizens of that state, whether it be manpower, weaponry, foodstuffs or finance. As the state got larger the needs for resources became greater and boundaries needed to be extended in order to increase resources. However, few of the states subjects were willing to suffer the loss of life or resources without gaining some acknowledgement in exchange and there were many conflicts and rebellions against the demands which were made upon them. Accordingly the state built 'administrative, bureaucratic and coercive structures' (ibid p 95) to control and co-ordinate their population. This administrative infrastructure was a major development of the modern state.

Nevertheless, the state grew slowly but times of growth were mainly due to warfare. In constitutional Britain the states finances grew rapidly during the 17th and 18th centuries mainly to fund the rising costs of the growing professional armies and navies. The same was the case in the absolutist state of Austria where the proportion of expenditure spent on the military far exceeded that spent on civil expenditure or debt repayment. States finances were dominated by wars and it would appear that the development and maintenance of a military capability was fundamental to the development of the state. The objectives of war became more economic and often the need for conquest was closely connected to economic advantages. The organizational form of states varied depending on whether areas were capital-intensive or coercion intensive.

In capital intensive areas (Dutch republic in the 17th century), city-based merchants and capitalist were often able to achieve state structures which represented their interests. However, in coercion intensive areas where agriculture was prevalent (Russian Empire), landlords had greater control of the state and could prevent the developments of representation. Industrialization and technological change also played a major role in the development of the modern state. The ability to build ships to transport armies and their equipment around the globe gave states the opportunity to colonize mainly non-European countries, in many cases exploiting these countries resources for their own gain. As these states expanded and their capacity to extract the resources necessary for warfare grew so their ability to organize and finance military power also increased. 'States that could mobilize and sustain standing armies and / or navies gained a war making advantage...

States that had access to large rural populations, capitalists and relatively commercialized economies won out. ' (ibid p 96) The growth of industrialization was one of the motors which enabled the expansion of capitalism to dominate economic life. Capitalism has a long history in Europe but its beginnings possibly occurred once agricultural production enabled a maintainable surplus to be traded. States who had shipbuilding industries were able to establish long distance trade routes. 'Globalization itself became a major source of expansion of state activity and efficiency. ' (ibid p 99) and global connections were achieved among states and societies. Colonization of non-European lands enabled European states to increase their wealth by extracting their resources to use for themselves, inevitably at the expense of these non-European lands. The development of the capitalist economy was driven by the growing need for raw materials and other production requirements.

One of the key features of capitalism is its distinctive set of class relations. Industrialization gave rise to the growth of the working classes as many people left the land to live in urban areas and many women joined the workforce. The textile industry in Britain is just one of the factors which enabled London to become one of the leading trade and financial centers of the world. London became a centre for the import of raw materials from abroad and the export of manufactured goods to other parts of the globe, often to the colonized countries of India, Pakistan and Burma.

The capitalist economy created a world-wide division of labor and it became necessary for political structures and states to enter into trade and production relationships globally. The state gradually became involved in civil society in order to control fiscal policy and secure the income it required to pursue their policies, often of a military nature The more successful the economic activities of their regions, the more money could be claimed in tax, sufficient to maintain their own interests. There was a need to regulate the developing capitalist economy if the state was to be protected and banking and other financial institutions were established. However, at the same time civil society was becoming involved in the state and powerful groups of capitalists and the upper classes hoped to influence the state to act in their interests. These elite groups in society had long had political representation but the needs of the capitalist world created new demands. Democratization is another major factor in the development of the modern state and would appear to be a direct consequence of war making.

In many ways it was the price the state had to pay to maintain its ability to wage war. Men were no longer prepared to go to war, leave their families, pay taxes, even lose their lives without some concessions. More demands were made on the people to meet the ever increasing costs of war and they believed they had a right to have some input into government, or at least be entitled to the franchise, which up until that time had been restricted to the upper echelons of society. The populations began to feel part of a political community and in these conditions representative democracy became established in many countries. This resulted in the legitimating of the modern state. As its military, organizational and co-coordinating functions grew and it relied increasingly on the co-operation and support of the people it was able to claim that its actions were popular and / or democratic.

However, not all states became democracies because of their war making activities; some became democracies against their will, because they were defeated in war. The development of democracy as well as that of the modern state, was a slow process and in Britain the franchise was not extended to all the people until the 20th Century. In conclusion there would appear to be no mono-causal explanation for the development of the modern state. However, the requirements of warfare appear paramount. The need for states to secure their boundaries and maintain and equip a standing military capability appears to be one of the main reasons for establishing the administrative, bureaucratic and coercive infrastructure which were a major development of the modern state.

Capitalism also developed, in part, because of the growing financial requirements of the state and its needs to strengthen and increase its boundaries. However, the development of capitalism may not have been possible without industrialization and technological advances. Capitalism brought in its wake the state's involvement in civil society and in order that it could control and secure the finances it required to maintain its own interests, often of a military nature, it established financial institutions. This in turn led to civil society becoming involved in the state with the people wishing to have a greater say in how they were governed in return for giving up their resources, food, taxes and even their lives.

The franchise was extended and representative democracy became established in many countries. There is little doubt that the modern state was formed to a large extent by the requirements of warfare. Capitalism and democratization also played a considerable part too and it would appear that these three elements are closely interlinked. Reference: David Held: 'The Development of the Modern State' Chapter 2 Formations of Modernity: The Open University.