The Early Modern State: Drivers, Beneficiaries and Discontents: Essays in Honour of Prof. Dr. Marjolein 't Hart

European states' capacity to raise finances, wage wars, exert bureaucratic power, and control populations increased in the early modern period, but negotiations with elite groups and private networks limited their control. This volume examines the main drivers, beneficiaries, and discontents of state formation in the early modern period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

During the early modern era, European states experienced a significant increase in their capacity to raise finances, wage wars, exert bureaucratic power over various aspects of social life, and control their own and distant populations. However, it is important to note that these changes were not as absolute and definitive as previously believed. While war played a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of emerging fiscal military states in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, rulers still relied heavily on negotiations with competing elite groups and the private networks of contractors and financial intermediaries. Attempts to enhance control over subjects often met with popular resistance, which in turn imposed limits on the development of state institutions.

This volume, written in honor of renowned historian Marjolein t Hart, explores the main drivers, beneficiaries, and discontents of state formation across and beyond Europe during the early modern period. The chapters gathered here provide valuable insights into the complex processes that shaped the political, economic, and social landscapes of this era.

One of the significant drivers of state formation was the expansion of trade and commerce. As European economies grew and interconnected, states sought to establish control over trade routes, tariffs, and other economic policies to maximize their profits and influence. This led to the development of centralized administrative systems, such as taxation and customs, as well as the establishment of military forces to protect trade interests.

Another important factor was the rise of nationalism. As people began to identify with their national identities and seek to assert their sovereignty, states responded by expanding their territorial boundaries and asserting their authority over their subjects. This led to the creation of nation-states, with distinct governments and political systems, and the establishment of military forces to protect national interests.

However, state formation was not without its challenges. Rulers often faced resistance from competing elite groups, who sought to maintain their power and influence over their subjects. This resistance often took the form of popular uprisings, rebellions, and revolutions, which challenged the authority of the state and demanded greater political and social rights.

State formation also had significant economic consequences. As states sought to increase their control over their economies, they often implemented policies that favored certain industries or groups of people, leading to economic inequality and social unrest. This was particularly true in the case of colonialism, where European states sought to expand their territories and extract resources from other parts of the world, often at the expense of local populations.

Despite these challenges, state formation continued to be a significant process in the early modern period. States were able to establish their authority over their subjects, expand their territories, and exert influence over global affairs. However, the process was not without its costs, and the legacy of state formation continues to shape the political, economic, and social landscapes of the world today.

In conclusion, the early modern period saw a significant increase in the capacity of European states to raise finances, wage wars, exert bureaucratic power, and control their own and distant populations. While war played a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of state formation, rulers remained highly dependent on negotiations with competing elite groups and the private networks of contractors and financial intermediaries. State formation was also shaped by the rise of nationalism, the expansion of trade and commerce, and the challenges of resistance and economic inequality. The legacy of state formation continues to be felt today, and it is important to understand the complex processes that shaped this era to better understand the world we live in today.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367544690