Intro to Comparative Politics: Author's differing views

Max Weber

States are defined through physical force. Legitimacy is needed too- the belief that the state’s power is to be obeyed.

Charles Tilly

War made the state, and state made war. The creation of a state is an organized crime.

Frederick Lane

States emerged and became stronger because ruler’s provide protection and used the resources gained from protection through war making and taxation.

Ajay Parasram

The way we think about governments and states comes from colonialism, and we shouldn’t assume that the modern state is the best way to organize society.

John Locke

Humans are capable of living peacefully with each other. No authoritarian state needed.

Thomas Hobbes

Needs authoritarian government to control the masses for the good of the people.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Only type of authority is legitimate in society if it comes from consent of all people.

Richard Rose

Comparative politics must use common concepts to study real countries side by side rather than saying every country is unique