Reinhard Flashcards
In what respects differs the modern European state from pre-modern states, according to Reinhard?
According to Reinhard, the modern European state differs from pre-modern states in several key respects.
Firstly, the modern European state is defined by a continuous territory with a distinct borderline and complete external sovereignty, as well as a monopoly of every kind of legitimate use of force.
In contrast, pre-modern states were characterized by the presence of multiple competing and more or less autonomous power-holders.
Secondly, the authority of the ruler in pre-modern states was often sacred and derived its external legitimacy through religion, while the modern state no longer requires the mythical figure of a ruler by the grace of God and derives legitimacy from the fictitious identity of the state with its subjects.
Additionally, the modern European state claims competence over the whole reach of human existence and has the ability to extend its competence at its convenience, as it has acquired the competence to decide the limits of its own competence.
In contrast, the rulers of pre-modern states had a more limited task of maintaining justice and peace, and were not the only ones engaged in this task.
Furthermore, the modern European state has a large share of the total population as professional servants of the state, as compared to pre-modern states where the ruler had only personal servants and followers and no professionals to execute his will.
Overall, the modern European state represents a significant departure from the pre-modern state in terms of its territorial, legal, and administrative characteristics, as well as the relationship between the ruler and the ruled.
Reinhard presents his explanation of state formation as an ‘eclectic synthesis’ of three different levels. Describe these levels and explain how they are connected according to Reinhard.
Reinhard’s explanation of state formation as an ‘eclectic synthesis’ involves three different levels: the micro-level, the meso-level, and the macro-level.
The micro-level focuses on individuals and their groups, as well as anthropological theories, theories of interaction, and elite theories. It deals with intentional actions and variables that may not be measurable.
The meso-level pertains to the political system as a section of society, with the participation of certain groups and the presence of autonomous processes. These processes are sequences of actions not organized intentionally but governed by determinism.
Finally, the macro-level refers to society as a large network of heterogeneous interaction, with less dense margins and the possibility of change without external input.
Reinhard connects these levels by proposing that state formation and growth occur through an interdependent pattern of operating factors. He suggests that the growth of state power starts from the micro-level, where dynasties and power elites work in their own interest for the expansion of the state and its institutions. This process is then enforced on the meso-level of the political system, where power elites exploit war, religion, and patriotism to expand their power. Finally, the ideological impetus of confessionalism and nationalism assists in the growth of central institutions, which become detached from the ruler and attached to a transpersonal concept of the commonwealth.
Reinhard’s eclectic synthesis integrates separate theories of these three different levels into a single coherent three-level theory, creating a comprehensive understanding of the process of state formation and growth.
What is, according to Reinhard, the importance of power elites in the process of European state formation?
According to Reinhard, power elites played a crucial role in the process of European state formation. He argues that these power elites were the individuals among the agents or servants of the state and among society’s ruling classes who were the important promoters of state power by using their position in the service of the state. These power elites were not only value-oriented in a political sense, but also were inclined to use the power of the state in the interests of their own group. They promoted the growth of state power for their own cause, as it best advanced the interests of their own group. Reinhard emphasizes that the hard core of successful promoters of state power consisted of a family, that is, a dynasty, which created continuity of interest, even if their individual members were unimportant figures. These power elites used certain societal situations to start and maintain political growth and to find widespread social consent for it. Therefore, he argues that power elites were the driving force behind the growth of state power and the development of state institutions in European history.
How does Reinhard explain the emergence of bureaucracies?
Reinhard explains the emergence of bureaucracies as a result of the continuous growth of state power in Europe from the 13th to the 18th centuries. He discusses how the expansion of state power led to the establishment of large numbers of state servants below the level of power elites, creating a distinct bureaucratic class with its own characteristic relation to the ruling classes of society. This growth of bureaucracy was a result of the need for personnel and institutions to coordinate human actions emotionally, particularly in the context of warfare and resource extraction. Reinhard also highlights the role of the Church in preserving literacy, producing early bureaucrats, and contributing to the growth of administrative institutions. He further discusses the development of professional civil service, the influence of Roman law, and the ambiguous consequences of the autonomous city in the process of state building. Additionally, he explores the connection between the rise of state power and the expansion of capitalism, as well as the role of the state in defending the rule of the nobility against the expansion of capitalism. Overall, Reinhard’s explanation of the emergence of bureaucracies is rooted in the historical context of the growth of state power and its impact on societal and economic structures in Europe.
