ME 273 Lecture 3: Discuss by reference to Held (1992) the factors that contributed to the emergence and supremacy of the modern state.
2 May 2018
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Topic: Discuss by reference to Held (1992) the factors that contributed to the emergence and
supremacy of the modern state.
Introduction
The concept of the modern state emerged at the intersection of two distinct historical processes,
namely ‘modernization’ and ‘state-formation’. The key focus of Held’s chapter “The
Development of the Modern State” is, “the active role played by the state in the making and
shaping of modernity” (Held, 1992, p. 74). Hence the purpose of my essay is to first explain
these two concepts individually and then to link them up together and highlight the factors that
contributed to the emergence and supremacy of the modern state in reference to Held’s text.
‘Modernization’ and ‘State-formation’
Earlier meanings of ‘modern’ involved ‘contemporary’ and ‘just now’, whereas according to
new definitions, “the modern becomes a standard against which other customs or ways of life are
judged pre-modern” (Morris & Sakai, 2005, pp. 219-220). Similarly, the earlier meaning of the
term ‘state’ was limited to “‘manner of standing’ or ‘condition’”, it was only after the 17th
Century that the concept of the nation state, a governmental body as we know it today, emerged.
(Hindess, 2005, pp. 37-38)
The important detail here is that these shifts in meanings coincide with the age of “European
Renaissance”, which was the period when the contrast between ancient and modern times was
becoming a popular discourse (Morris & Sakai, 2005, p. 220), and this is why Held sets the pivot
of his chapter on the state particularly in the context of Europe. His chapter on the modern state
is structured into two sections, one on its emergence and the other on its supremacy, and I will be
following a similar pattern in the following sections to elaborate the factors that Held considers
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accountable for the development of the modern state, but it must be kept in mind that these
factors and categories are mutually embedded.
The Emergence of the Modern State
To explain the emergence of the modern state, Held traces out a historical timeline of Europe
showing changes in the state apparatus. His main focus from here is the underlying relation
between historical processes and the transitions from one state form to another. His timeline
highlights five distinct state forms, namely empires, feudalist states, polity of estates, absolutist
states, and modern nation states (Held, 1992, p. 78). At the very base, these state forms differed
in terms of the way of regime or government, and the shift from one form to another reflected a
shift in the interests of both the rulers and the ruled. For Held, the modern state was premised on
the preceding state forms and the underlying causes of transitions among them. Hence the major
contributors towards the emergence of the modern state were its predecessors, which are
discussed ahead.
The first state form, the empire system, depended entirely on the accumulation of war power, and
lacked proper means of administration. There were conflicts between the emperors and the ruled.
Similarly, in the following feudalist system, there were also conflicts within the system of power
(Held, 1992, pp. 79-80). This system was characterized by fragmented portions of divided
authority, but the major factor that weighed against it was the rise of Christianity, because it
indirectly challenged the feudalist secular authority and shifted it towards the spiritual (Held,
1992, p. 81). In short, internal/external conflicts and religion were major factors that caused the
early transitions among state forms.
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Document Summary
Topic: discuss by reference to held (1992) the factors that contributed to the emergence and supremacy of the modern state. The concept of the modern state emerged at the intersection of two distinct historical processes, namely modernization" and state-formation". Development of the modern state is, the active role played by the state in the making and shaping of modernity (held, 1992, p. 74). Earlier meanings of modern" involved contemporary" and just now", whereas according to new definitions, the modern becomes a standard against which other customs or ways of life are judged pre-modern (morris & sakai, 2005, pp. Similarly, the earlier meaning of the term state" was limited to manner of standing" or condition" , it was only after the 17th. Century that the concept of the nation state, a governmental body as we know it today, emerged. (hindess, 2005, pp. The important detail here is that these shifts in meanings coincide with the age of european.
