Flashcards: Origin of States and State Capacity

What is the traditional definition of a state according to Max Weber?

An entity which upholds the claim to the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force in the enforcement of its order.

What is one major reason young and weak states have limited capacity?

They often have a relatively recent history, such as colonialism.

How does the antiquity of a state correlate with its development?

The antiquity of a state is generally a strong predictor of its current level of development.

What geographic theory relates to the emergence of complex hierarchical societies?

The Neolithic Revolution and agricultural output/technologies.

What does the agricultural productivity theory suggest about state development?

Regional differences in land productivity explain disparities in the development of hierarchies and states.

What factors are explored as potential 'deep' origins of states and state capacity?

Geographical factors and warfare.

What concept does the State History index relate to?

It reflects the historical duration of effective, fully autonomous statehood.

According to Mayshar et al. (2022), what influences the emergence of early states?

The appropriability of agricultural output by elites or bandits.

What are the key decisions farmers make regarding cultivation according to Mayshar's model?

Farmers choose between cultivating cereal grains or roots/tubers based on productivity and risks.

What is a significant challenge for non-farmers in establishing hierarchies?

If fixed cost of offering protection to farmers is higher than potential tax income from taxing produce, no elite/hierarchy can emerge. Potential income depends on choice of farmers.

What does the model predict regarding state formation and productivity advantages?

If the productivity advantage of cereals over tubers is small, a state cannot exist.

What historical period demonstrates the impact of warfare on state capacity?

The period surrounding the Napoleonic Wars and the U.S. Civil War.

What is one consequence of wars on states as theorized by Tilly?

Wars foster local state formation and capacity.

What role do citizens play in the context of state taxation during wars?

Citizens provide consent to rulers in exchange for public goods and representation.

What findings did Becker et al. (2020) reveal about wars and state capacity?

Wars foster state capacity and political participation, especially evidenced in German history.

What implication does the lack of inter-state warfare have on developing countries?

It may explain their low levels of state capacity.

How is state capacity operationally defined in terms of its functions?

State capacity is defined as the ability to collect taxes, enforce law and order, and provide public goods.

What is the significance of the 'Columbian Exchange' in state formation?

It altered the relative productivity between roots/tubers and cereals, affecting state emergence.

What are the consequences of failing to collect personal taxes in less developed countries?

This could limit the development of state capacity and legitimacy.

What factor is critical in understanding state capacity's geographic argument?

The transparency of the production process influences appropriability.

How does the geographical complexity affect state capacity according to Huning and Wahl (2023)?

Taxing and appropriation are more difficult in heterogeneous geographies compared to simpler, observable ones.

What does the model suggest about taxation in relation to public goods?

Increased taxation can enhance legitimacy and political participation.

How does the Ebola epidemic serve as a case study for state legitimacy?

The epidemic shows how a public health crisis can influence the perceived legitimacy of governments.

What relationship was hypothesized regarding Ebola exposure and state legitimacy?

Greater Ebola exposure would lead to increased state legitimacy due to perceived government effectiveness.

What is the outcome of the study regarding differential valuation during the Ebola crisis?

Higher Ebola prevalence leads to a higher perceived valuation of control measures, improving state legitimacy.

What potential mechanism explains the increased legitimacy during the Ebola outbreak?

Higher-risk perception of contagion leads to better government response and public trust.