The concept of state formation

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The concept of state formation

Introduction

The concept of state is derived from Latin words stato, status and estate meaning 'to stand'. There are various conceptions on whàt a state is:

State as a centralized polity with permanent bureaucracy living in fortified capital under a hereditary ruler who has sovereign powers over hinterland areas and it's people (John Middleton,1997[1]).

Bruce G. Trigger (2003)[2] views a state as a political organization in which power rests in the hands of small governing group that monopolies the use of coercive force to maintain internal order and cope with neigh bouring people.

Generally, a state is a self governing territorial unit ordered by a sovereign power, and involves office holders, a well defined territorial, institution of governance, symbol of power etc. It is a political entity with defined boundaries and centralized political power (headed by king or ruler) which enable it to make decision and collect revenue.

A state exists in heterogeneous or differentiated society and has repressive and ideological instruments of control.

Repressive means of control include the military police, prison and courts. Ideological instruments include schools, media and religion. Basic examples of States was Ancient Egypt Mesopotamia

 

 

 

STATE FORMATION IN AFRICA.

States formation in Africa is the outcome of many factors.

Ancient Egypt for example, rose due to combination of factors including trade, irrigation, and warfare and population growth. Ancient Egyptian civilization emerged in the fertile Nile Valley. Before 3100 BC, the Nile valley held serious competitive kingdoms. After centuries of unsettled condition, Egypt became a unified river valley state under a leader named Narmer, a name given to ancient Egyptian leaders. So, irrigation systems were practiced peacefully. On top of that Egypt practiced trade with Mesopotamia.

Warfare was the major factor for the rise of Zulu state in South Africa. Zanzibar was commonly termed as commercial empire. This suggests that trade had a great role for its rise and growing fame. Some of the west African states such as Mali, Ghana and Songhai developed out of trade. Ghana itself was famous for control of gold trade.

 There are various theories that explain the origin of states in Africa, and some other      places of the world

             1. Hydraulic theory.

This theory was developed by Karl Witfogel (1896-1988)[3] and Julian Steward (1902-1973). The theory suggests that, the first state evolved in the river valleys and arid regions. Because. Because of need of surplus food, a number of previously independent village communities unified into a large political entity capable of carrying out large irrigation schemes. Those who were assigned supervisory roles in the production process eventually became supreme rulers over others hence rulers. Examples of states formed in this theory are Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, Pre-Columbian Mexico and Peru.

          

 2. Population growth Theory.

It was developed by Esther Boserup and Mark Cohen[4]. The theory maintains that population growth led to the intensification of food production and eventually competition for arable land. The dynamics posed an urgent need for regulatory agency, hence the development of a state. Some examples of states include Mali kingdom, Buganda kingdom, sokoto kingdom

3. Circumscription Theory.

It was developed by Robert Carneiro (1970) [5]. It generally stipulates that the competition over resource control and utilization is what necessitated the emergence of states. It dictates that population increase within geographically circumscribed area led to warfare over arable land or other forms of scarce resource. Those who won the struggle became rulers while the losers submitted themselves to the former and became surbodinatete thus leading to emergence of states.

4. Spontaneous Theory.

This was based on Rousseau's social contract. At some stage in their history, some people spontaneously or rationally and voluntarily gave up their individual independence and United with other commitments to form larger political units with overall leadership.

5. Automatic Theory.

It maintains that because of agriculture and production of surplus food, people specialized in other productive and activities. Such specializations or divisions of labour led to the unification of a number of previously independent village communities into large political entities. For example state formation in Nile Valley fall within this theory.

6. War and Conquest Theory.

This is the most popular theory in state formation. It maintains that war was the prime mover in state formation. War improved structure of the society and increased efficiency of cooperate action against other societies. For example the Zulu state of South Africa was formed through War and Conquest. For example Roman empire,Zulu state etc

7. Divine right theory

The theory of divine right of Kings is also known as divine origin theory is one of the oldest theories about the origin of states . The theory explain about how the states came into being. The supporters of this theory state that the state doesn't come into being by the people but it is the handiwork of God on the earth. The state was created by the God and the king was a representative or agent of God on Earth. The king was given the divine power and he was to be responsible to the God deeds and was not responsible to the people for any of his works. The king was given supreme power to role over the people through God. For example in England, France and Italy. For instance, King James I of England claimed "No privileges and lmmunities that can stand against a devinely appointed king". So states were believed to have originated from God.

However, none of these theories explain satisfactorily the origin of the state. It is widely accepted that many different factors working together in a complex combination, promoted the development of larger and more differentiated societies which required state control.

 

 

REFERENCES

Bruce G. Trigger(2003)understanding  early civilizations a comparative  study New :Cambridge                University Press ,2003,P 757

Carneiro R.L (1970) a theory of original of the state science 169.733 .738

Esther Boserup (1970) The interrelation between population trends and agricultural methods                     in ;H p & Gray

Esther Boserup (1970) the interrelation between population trends and agricultural methods in ;H             p & Gray

John Middleton,(1997)Afica south of sahara,Michgan: Scibner Sons Publisher

KARL  Marx ,(1846 )A contribution to the critique of political economy in 1859 and capital in       1867

Wittfogel, Karl (1957) Oriental despotism a comparative study of total power .New York              Random  House


[1]John Middleton,(1997)Afica south of sahara,michgan: scibner sons publisher

[2] Bruce G. Trigger(2003)understanding  early civilizations acomparative  study new Cambridge university press ,2003,p 757

[3] Wittfogel,karl (1957)oriental despotism a comperative stidy of total power .New York Random House

[4] Esther Boserup(1970)the interrelation between population trends and agricultural methods in ;H p & Gray

[5] Carneiro R.L (1970) a theory of original of the state  science 169.733 .738

  

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