Recent Research on the Origin of the State

TLDR

The origin of primary states has been a longstanding anthropological problem since Morgan’s 1920 publication, and although an ultimate solution remains elusive, recent scholarship has focused on synthesizing past work and testing new theoretical approaches. The review aims to comment on a recent synthesis, address definitional issues, and evaluate recent research on state development cases. The authors conduct a literature review that critiques a recent synthesis, resolves definitional ambiguities, and evaluates empirical studies on state development. Recent research has challenged positions in the synthesis and clarified future directions for theory and research on state development.

Abstract

To explain the origin of primary states-those which arise in a context of interacting prestate societies-has remained an objective of anthropologists since the publica­ tion of Morgan's Ancient Society (35) 100 years ago. It is a fundamental problem which, though it cannot have an ultimate solution, serves as a measure against which to evaluate the effectiveness of new perspectives and new methods. The centennial of Morgan's publication has not inspired comprehensive new explanatory theories or research insights, but it has been marked by a synthesis of past work, by provoca­ tive restatements of extant theoretical approaches, and by the testing of proposed explanations derived from these approaches utilizing new methods. This review begins with a commentary on a recent synthesis, discusses definitional problems, and assesses recent research on several cases of state development. In conclusion, it is argued that recent research has already obviated some of the positions taken in the synthesis and has clarified the directions which future theory-building and research must take.