The State Its History And Development Viewed So... -

This book, written by German sociologist and published in 1908 (English translation in 1914), is a classic of political sociology. It challenges the "social contract" theory and offers a more cynical, power-based origin story for how governments began. Here is the "story" of the state according to Oppenheimer: 1. The Two Ways to Live

The "story" usually goes like this: A group of nomadic warriors (often herders or Vikings) discovers a group of peaceful peasants (farmers). Initially, the warriors just raid, kill, and leave. But eventually, they realize that if they kill all the farmers, there’s no food next year. 3. The "Protection" Racket The State Its History and Development Viewed So...

The warriors decide to settle down. Instead of robbing the farmers once, they "protect" them from other raiders in exchange for a permanent tribute (taxes). This is the transition from . The conquerors become the nobility, and the conquered become the subjects or serfs. 4. The Development This book, written by German sociologist and published

Systems are built to keep track of the "surplus" wealth being taken. The Two Ways to Live The "story" usually