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

Oppenheimer wasn't a total pessimist. He believed that as the world became more interconnected through trade, the "Political Means" would eventually fail. He predicted the State would eventually transform into a "Freemen's Citizenship"—a society where the government no longer exists to help one class exploit another, but simply to manage common interests through the "Economic Means."

Systems are built to keep track of the "surplus" wealth being taken.

A hierarchy is created to manage the collection of tribute.

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

Seizing the fruits of others' labor by force (robbery and conquest). 2. The Birth of the State

Working, producing, and exchanging (peaceful trade).