1st Edition

State Formation in Europe, 843–1789 A Divided World

By Sverre Bagge Copyright 2019
    306 Pages
    by Routledge

    306 Pages
    by Routledge

    State Formation in Europe, 843–1789 follows the formation and development of the European state from the division of the Carolingian Empire to the French Revolution.

    The book’s primary focus is on Europe’s patterns of internal and external development in comparison to political organization in other parts of the world. By analysing Europe as a single unit, rather than dividing it into nation states, it reveals the broader historical connections within the Continent. Bagge takes the reader through a discussion of how kingdoms evolved into states, introducing the influence of the Church and the town on these state structures. The relationship between state, Church and town is traced to explain how these different power struggles played out and why the territorial state became the dominate form of organization. Finally, the book clarifies why Europe developed in this way and the global consequences of this development.

    By observing Europe through the perspective of the rest of the world, readers gain insight into trends common to the whole Continent while crossing the traditional border between the Middle Ages and early modern period. This book is essential reading for students studying medieval and early modern political history, state formation and Europe in a global context.

    INTRODUCTION *

    CHAPTER I. THE FORMATION OF THE EUROPEAN STATE SYSTEM *

    Warfare and State Formation: From the Age of Invasions to the Eighteenth Century *

    The State Made War but War did not Make the State *

    War within the Family – Politics and Diplomacy *

    Norms and Interests *

    Conclusion *

    CHAPTER II. THE FOUNDATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN MONARCHY *

    What was a State? *

    The Basic Features of European Society *

    King and Aristocracy *

    The Formation of Dynasties *

    War and the State *

    The Finances *

    Towards a Monopoly of Violence: The Royal Courts of Law *

    The Central Administration *

    From Ugly Toes to the King’s Napkin *

    The Formation of the Sovereign State *

    King, Nobility and People, and the Idea of the Nation *

    The State and the People: the Peasant Rebellions *

    Conclusion *

    CHAPTER III. THE STATE AND ITS COMPETITORS *

    The Church and the Papal Monarchy *

    States without a King: Principalities and City Republics *

    The Medieval Foundations of the European State *

    Conclusion *

    CHAPTER IV. THE REVOLUTIONS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES *

    The Renaissance *

    The Reformation *

    Reformation and State Formation *

    The Great Discoveries and the Development of European Trade *

    Why did Europe Conquer the World? *

    Conclusion *

    CHAPTER V. ABSOLUTISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM *

    Capital Versus Coercion – England, The Dutch Republic and France *

    The Dutch Republic *

    Coercion and Capital *

    Towards Absolute Monarchy in France *

    The Development of Constitutional Government in England *

    The Difference between France and England *

    The Spanish Kingdoms *

    Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Agrarian States – the Case of Scandinavia *

    Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Agrarian States: Prussia, Austria and East Central Europe *

    Conclusion: Absolutism and Constitutionalism: Advantages and Disadvantages *

    CHAPTER VI. THE STATE AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT *

    Enlightened Despotism and Parliamentary Government *

    The Development of a Modern Bureaucracy *

    Conclusion *

    CONCLUSION: THE STATE OF THE OLD REGIME AND ITS LEGACY *

    REFERENCES *

    Biography

    Sverre Håkon Bagge was Professor at the University of Bergen from 1991 to 2012. His books in English include: Society and Politics in Snorri Sturluson’s Heimskringla (1991); Kings, Politics, and the Right Order of the World in German Historiography, c. 950-1150 (2002); Cross and Scepter: The Rise of the Scandinavian Kingdoms from the Vikings to the Reformation (2014).