Abstract
Norwegian macro-oriented Social Scientist Stein Rokkan often argued for the relevance of comparative historical inquiry. What can comparative longitudinal analyses of the state teach? The term “state” is core in politics. When do states appear on the real stage? My assessment is that F. Fukuyama’s The Origins of Political Order (Fukuyama, 2014) attempts to demolish the established perspective. I believe that he is incorrect.
Highlights
Confronted with massive historical research, the social sciences may look for patterns, similarities and differences.The book by F
Norwegian macro-oriented Social Scientist Stein Rokkan often argued for the relevance of comparative historical inquiry
Is there one direction to be distilled? Does development over time move toward some fundamental outcomes, like the modern state?
Summary
Confronted with massive historical research, the social sciences may look for patterns, similarities and differences. Fukuyama on the origins of political order (Fukuyama, 2012, 2014) is fascinating. Neither the functionalists nor the system theorists could introduce a tenable theory of political development. The conceptual difficulties as well as the early political events in mankind’s trajectory were too hard to grasp. Development theories tend to give rise to philosophical issues about trends and causes. Is there one direction to be distilled? Does development over time move toward some fundamental outcomes, like the modern state? Is there one direction to be distilled? Does development over time move toward some fundamental outcomes, like the modern state?
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