Gorski, The Disciplinary Revolution

Mechanisms of state capacity (Sept 22)

state power def

the capacity to defend and expand a sovereign territory and govern the human and natural resources within it.

two different modes and spheres of state power: administrative versus coercive and the internal versus external.

Administrative power

operates through rules and regulations; its paradigmatic instrument is the bureaucrat

Coercive power

operates through the threat or application of force; its paradigmatic instrument is the soldier.

The internal sphere of state power

consists of the indigenous or national population(s)

The external sphere of state power

consists of colonies or other nations.

four distinct types of state power

regulatory, compulsory, colonial, and military

indigenous sources of power

inhere in the state qua institution

Key indigenous sources would include the size and quality of the administrative organization and personnel; other things being equal we would expect a state apparatus that is bureaucratic and clean to be more effective and efficient than one which is patrimonial and corrupt.

exogenous sources of power

which derive from its social environment.

Key exogenous sources might be the size and quality of the national population and territory; other things being equal, we would expect a state whose population and territory are large and developed to be more powerful than one whose population and territory are small and undeveloped (or undevelopable)

Comparative power

power in comparison with other states.

Relative power

is power relative to exogenous resources.

the relationship between discipline and state power

discipline increases state power insofar as it increases overall levels of administrative efficiency and social order because a more orderly society is cheaper to govern and a more efficient administration is cheaper to run.

confessionalization

involves two not always adequately distinguished processes: the hardening of interconfessional boundaries and the imposition of intra-confessional uniformity

why does Ertman (Leviathan) not study the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is an exception to Ertman’s model. Although it experienced early geopolitical competition, which should have encouraged patrimonialism and the sale of government offices, its strong provincial and national parliaments explicitly prohibited institutionalized office-selling. The Netherlands also maintained strong local government despite parts of its territory being conquered by Charlemagne, and it resisted absolutism under Philip II of Spain without developing the bicameral legislature Ertman’s model would predict. This challenges Ertman’s theory because the Netherlands does not fit his expected relationships between early state formation, local government, representative institutions, and political outcomes.

Ertman missed

• religious rebels were inherent in what lead to a constitutional regime

• confessional politics

What is Gorski's main argument?

• social discipline is crucial to state power

• Calvinism was the critical force behind the process of social discipline

• Calvinism → Discipline → Stronger State

  
  

What did existing theories miss?

He argues that existing theories ignore the impact of the Reformation on state formation. confessional politics were the overlooked dimension. people before him built models that were variable centric which is why it was overlooked.

what were the 3 stages in the emergence of the confessional age? (heinz schilling)

1) diffusion of the evangelical movement 1517-1520

2) reformation from above 1520-1545

• city authorities implemented civil reforms

3) formation of national churches

Protestantism split into different dominations that formed their own ideals

what are the three dimensions of social discipline?

1) source

• top to bottom

2) focus

• individual or group

3) modus operandi

• way discipline is implemented

Why is Calvinism important for Gorski?

Gorski argues Calvinism promoted discipline more intensely than other confessions. This made Calvinist societies especially effective at creating social order.

relationship between social discipline and state power

• state agents internalize work ethic, the impact of discipline of state agents

• discipline increases peace and social order and makes the task of managing society easier

“discipline increases state power insofar as it increases overall levels of administrative efficiency and social order because a more orderly society is cheaper to govern and a more efficient administration is cheaper to run.”

What is confessionalization?

Confessionalization is the process through which states and churches worked together to impose religious uniformity after the Reformation.

What is social discipline?

Social discipline refers to mechanisms used to regulate behavior and maintain order.

• Church discipline

• Schools

• Poor relief systems

• Workhouses

• Marriage regulation

What is a disciplinary revolution?

rapid expansion of institutions and practices designed to regulate behavior.

How does Gorski use Weber?

Gorski argues Weber correctly linked:

Religion → Discipline

But Weber did not fully explain:

Discipline → State Power

How does Gorski use Foucault?

Gorski argues Foucault correctly linked:

Discipline → State Power

But Foucault ignored the role of religion in creating discipline.

Gorski combines Weber and Foucault to explain:

Religion → Discipline → State Power

Why are the Netherlands important for Gorski?

The Netherlands are Gorski's key example.

Existing theories predict the Dutch Republic should have been weak because it was:

• Decentralized

• Not highly bureaucratic

• Not strongly centralized

Yet it became one of Europe's strongest states.

The Dutch Republic:

• Maintained a large military

• Extracted high taxes

• Preserved social order

• Defeated more powerful rivals

Gorski argues that this strength came partly from Calvinist discipline rather than centralization alone

How did Calvinist consistories strengthen the Dutch state?

Consistories were local church councils made up of ministers and elders.

They monitored:

• Drunkenness

• Adultery

• Violence

• Disorderly behavior

Members could receive:

• Warnings

• Public censure

• Excommunication

The goal was not punishment alone but moral reform.

By regulating everyday behavior, consistories:

• Reduced disorder

• Encouraged self-control

• Reinforced community norms

This strengthened social order without requiring large state bureaucracies.

Exam significance:

Consistories are the clearest example of how discipline generated state capacity from below.

How did Dutch military reforms support Gorski's argument?

Maurice of Orange reorganized the Dutch army during the revolt against Spain.

Key reforms included:

• Systematic drilling

• Standardized commands

• Greater supervision

• Smaller, more disciplined units

The Dutch army became one of the most disciplined forces in Europe.

Gorski suggests that Calvinist values emphasizing obedience and discipline may have supported these reforms.

The result was a military that was:

• More reliable

• More orderly

• More effective

Exam significance:

The military example shows discipline strengthening external as well as internal state power

thesis example

Gorski argues that state formation cannot be explained by war and economic development alone. Through the process of confessionalization, Calvinism generated powerful forms of social discipline that promoted social order, administrative effectiveness, and state capacity. The Dutch Republic demonstrates how local institutions such as consistories, poor relief systems, and disciplined military organizations helped create a strong state from the bottom up.

What is religious discipline?

Discipline that is primarily normative, meaning it relies on shared values, moral expectations, and accepted rules rather than force.

What is social discipline?

Discipline that is primarily coercive, meaning it relies on rules being imposed and enforced to regulate social behavior.

What is disciplining from below?

Discipline that occurs outside the control of the state, especially the territorial state. It can come from communities, religious institutions, and social groups.

What is disciplining from above?

Discipline imposed by the state, especially through central government institutions and officials.

Why is normative discipline generally more intensive than coercive discipline?

People are more likely to follow rules they voluntarily accept than rules imposed by force.

Why is individual discipline generally more intensive than social discipline?

It is easier to monitor and regulate one individual than an entire group or community.

What is self-discipline, and why is it the most intensive form of discipline?

Self-discipline occurs when individuals internalize rules and monitor their own behavior. Because people regulate themselves, discipline does not require constant outside enforcement.

What is the most stable form of discipline, according to the author?

social discipline, because its rules are more likely to be formally established and enforced without regard to particular individuals.

Why are coercive forms of discipline generally more stable than normative forms?

Coercive rules are more likely to be formally codified and enforced consistently, regardless of the individuals involved.

What is communal disciplining?

Discipline that shapes the norms and practices of a community. The author identifies it as the most profound and long-lasting type because it can transform shared social behavior.

Which forms of discipline tend to be the harshest and most physical?

Individual and coercive forms of discipline. They often rely more directly on physically punishing or controlling individuals.

What is the author's main argument about disciplining from below versus disciplining from above?

When explaining the development of societies rather than the fate of individuals, discipline from below generally has a greater impact than discipline from above, particularly when it is based on norms and shared values. Nonstate institutions and communities can shape people's beliefs, habits, and everyday behavior. When these norms become internalized, they can continue influencing society without direct state enforcement.

2 factors of the Dutch case (from notes)

1) Military might

• Dutch was a colonizing power

• large army, small population

  • how come, if not bc people were willing to serve the state?

• tax rates were higher

  • key for ability of Dutch to finance its enterprises

  • citizens were willing to pay taxes, internalized support of the state

2) Social order/peace

• lower murder rates despite the fact that they had a smaller police force

• suggests higher level of social order and that they needed les resources to maintain order

• consistent w/ Gorsky’s argument about social discipline

Calvinism increased the chances of survival for smaller states because it was a factors in state capacity

early modern disciplinary revolution def

the introduction and diffusion of disciplinary techniques and strategies, both new and old, and their social and political effects.

Calvinist disciplinary revolution def

a political revolution, or set of political revolutions, that stimulated an intense and rapid process of disciplining.