States and State Formation - Dr Roberto Foa
The purpose of this course is to examine the origins, courses, and consequences of state formation. How and why did fiefdoms unite into relatively large and stable political units during the early modern era? Why were some states able to develop bureaucratic institutions while others remained patrimonial? How do patterns of state formation affect contemporary variation in economic development, rule of law, and political accountability? And under what circumstances can political institutions be said to 'decay' - and how does this concept related to countries in the world today?