Open Collections

Polity*

Abrutyn, Seth; Lawrence, Kirk

The evolution of the polity, particularly the transition of chiefdoms to states, has been the subject of considerable debate. In this paper, we engage the discussion surrounding the meta-theoretical positions on the tempo of change, specifically whether states emerged gradually from quantitative changes in chiefdom societies – gradualism - or if their appearance was the result of punctuated and qualitative change - punctuated equilibrium. After revisiting the classic debate, we update it with new contributions drawn from the natural and social sciences. We contend that chiefdoms do not simply become states as a result of increases in the size of component parts; instead, punctuated equilibrium, stemming from responses to selection pressures from social forces, has more empirical support than gradualism in explaining state formation. We then take steps toward an integrative model of polity evolution, in which the state emerges as a discrete change resulting from social forces reaching critical thresholds.

Text

2018-08-30

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/67018

Abrutyn, Seth, and Kirk Lawrence. 2010. "From Chiefdoms to States: Toward an Integrative Theory of the Evolution of Polity." Sociological Perspectives 53(3):419-442.

Reviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/