b. Evolution of States

7/27/2019 b. Evolution of States

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The transition from primitive society to a

modern state is a long and cheered

history. Difference of conditions under

which they arose at different times andplaces gave rise to a variety of

governmental organizations. The state

did not have a continuous process ofevolution and development.


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It appeared in various forms and

shapesthe Tribal State, Oriental

Empire. Roman Empire, the Greek City

States, the Feudal States and theModem National States. These States

differed vitally in their size, and

characteristics and have given rise todissimilar political institutions and ideas.


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The evolution of the state extends over along period in the history of human race. Ithas developed from a rudimentary form tothe modern complex structure.

The process of this evolution has not beenuniform due to difference in the conditionsunder which the state developed atdifferent places and times. It, thereforeassumed different forms with a variety ofgovernments. Its principal forms may bediscussed as follows:


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1. The Tribal State:

The state could not be distinguished fromthe tribe at the earliest stage of its evolution. Inthe primitive age the rights of citizenship

depended upon kinship.Allegiance was neither territorial nor

personal. It was dependent upon bloodrelationship.

2. The Oriental Empire:

The earlier states known to history firstdeveloped in the fertile valleys of the Ganges,the Nile, the Euphrates and


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Although these empires were separated by

long distances yet they had certain

common traits. All these regions had

despotic monarchies. The people enjoyedno rights or liberty.

They had two main duties, viz., submission

to the authority of the king and the payment

of taxes. In the words of Gettle, such "staterepresented to their peoples only as slave

driver and the tax collector"


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As soon as the ruling dynasty becameweak, powerful rivals would come intothe field and thus the power would pass

to a number of rulers and initiated thebeginning of culture and civilization.

In spite of these shortcomings, the earlyempires played a very useful role in the

evolution of the state because theyinfused in the people a sense ofobedience to authority.


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1. The Oriental empire:

The earlier states were established in the fertile

valley of the Ganges, the Nile, the Euphrates, andthe Tigris. Peru and Mexico were the states ofempires in the western hemisphere.

2. The Greek City-States:

Greece was especially fitted for political growthbecause of its geographical position and physicalfeatures. The mountains and the sea divided thecountry into a number of valleys and islandsseparated from one another.

As a result of these physical features each ofthese units developed into self-governing and self-sufficient city, states. Various experiments inpolitical institutions were made in these smallstates. These contributed a lot to political thought.


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3. The Roman world empire:

Rome began her career as a city state, verymuch like the city-states of Greece.

It changed into a republic and soon after into abig empire. As an empire, it made a valuablecontribution to political concepts especially the law.

4. The Feudal States:

These were established after the downfall of theRoman Empire.

These were not states in the real sense of theterm inasmuch as the authority of the state wasdistributed in a hierarchical manner on the basis ofthe ownership of land.


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5. The Nation-States:

The growth of modern nation states isattributable directly to the growth of

commercialism.The newly arising commercial and

industrial classes played a vital role inthe destruction of feudalism and the

establishment of the nation-state. Thefeudal nobility was wiped out and theauthority of the Pope was set aside.

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b. Evolution of States