Elias Nation Building

8/12/2019 Elias Nation Building

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PROCESSES OF STATE FORMATION AND NATION BUILDINGNORBERT ELIAS

ENGLAND

One of the strangest aspects of the dee!op"ent of soc#o!og$ d%r#ng #ts f#rst cent%r$ and aha!f or so as a re!at#e!$ a%tono"o%s d#sc#p!#ne #s the change fro" a !ong&ter" perspec#e to

a short&ter" perspect#e' a (#nd of narro)#ng of the soc#o!og#sts* #nterest to conte"porar$soc#et#es & and a+oe a!! to the#r o)n soc#et#es & as the$ are here and no)' and a )#thdra)a!of #nterest fro" the pro+!e" ho) and )h$ soc#et#es oer the cent%r#es hae +eco"e )hatthe$ are, The narro)#ng of the foc%s has fo%nd #ts "ost str#(#ng e-press#on #n the change #nthe do"#nant t$pe of soc#o!og#ca! theor$, For the greater part of the ./th cent%r$ the "ostrepresentat#e soc#o!og#ca! theor#es )ere centred on the !ong&ter" dee!op"ent of soc#et$'those of the second part of the 01th cent%r$ & e-cept a fe)' a"ong the" "$ o)n & haeco"p!ete!$ a+andoned the concept of soc#a! dee!op"ent, For a t#"e' #t has d#sappeared fro"soc#o!og#ca! te-t&+oo(s, Instead' the concept 2soc#a! s$ste"2 has "oed #nto the centre ofsoc#o!og#ca! theor#es and other concepts re!ated to #t' s%ch as 2soc#a! str%ct%re2 and 2soc#a!f%nct#on'2 conce#ed #n s%ch a "anner that the$ can on!$ sere as theoret#ca! too!s for a st%d$of soc#et$ #n a g#en state' at a g#en t#"e' )hose changes are perce#ed as %nstr%ct%red or' #nother )ords' as h#stor#ca! changes, The sh#ft of #nterest fro" the !ong&ter" d$na"#cs to theshort&ter" stat#cs of soc#et$ has "an$ reasons )h#ch need not +e d#sc%ssed here' at !east note-p!#c#t!$ 3I hae d#sc%ssed so"e of the" e!se)here 3.44, B%t the fact that the p!ans of the 5th6or!d Congress of Soc#o!og$ #nc!%de a Ro%nd Ta+!e d#sc%ss#on on the the"e 7GrandTheor#es of Dee!op"ent* "a$ perhaps +e regarded as a stra) #n the )#nd, There are an%"+er of s#gns that the pro+!e" of the !ong&ter" dee!op"ent of soc#et#es & so"et#"es"#sta(en!$ ca!!ed eo!%t#on' for th#s dee!op"ent #s a se8%ent#a! order s%# gener#s and hasnoth#ng )hateer to do )#th the +#o!og#ca! se8%ence ca!!ed eo!%t#on & +eg#ns to "oe once"ore #nto foc%s,

9o)eer' the restr%ct%r#ng of the soc#o!og#ca! #"ag#nat#on that #s needed #n order to redress'on a ne) !ee! of the sp#ra!' the +a!ance +et)een stat#c and d$na"#c approaches to the theor$of soc#et$ once "ore #n fao%r of the !atter' #s 8%#te a for"#da+!e tas(, 6e hae no) "an$"ore facts a+o%t the !ong&ter" dee!op"ent of soc#et#es to go on than eer +efore, To +%#!d#ntegrat#ng theoret#ca! "ode!s )h#ch f#t a!! of the" c!ose!$ #s far fro" eas$, Moreoer' "an$c%rrent concepts' a"ong the" the concepts *str%ct%re* and *f%nct#on*' )#!! co"e to "eanso"eth#ng er$ d#fferent fro" )hat the$ "ean toda$ a"ong str%ct%ra!&f%nct#ona!#sts andother schoo!s of stat#c soc#o!og$ #f the$ are %sed )#th#n the conte-t of a dee!op"enta!soc#o!og#ca! theor$,

On the e"p#r#ca! !ee! st%d#es #n the dee!op"ent of soc#et#es hae +een on the #ncrease for

so"e t#"e' at !east )#th regard to those soc#et#es )h#ch are ca!!ed toda$ *dee!op#ng* or*%nderdee!oped*, B%t the #nterest #nthe dee!op"ent of *dee!op#ng* soc#et#es as an e"p#r#ca!soc#o!og#ca! pro+!e" has as $et hard!$ fo%nd a response on the theoret#ca! !ee!, One can see)h$, E-press#ons !#(e *%nderdee!oped* or *dee!op#ng* soc#et#es the"se!es po#nt to the

pec%!#ar t)#st #n the perspect#e of those representat#es of the )ea!th#er' the "ore dee!opedsoc#et#es )ho ha+#t%a!!$ %se these ter"s, For the#r %se #"p!#es that the "ore h#gh!$#nd%str#a!#sed soc#et#es the"se!es are not dee!op#ng or' for that "atter' not*%nderdee!oped*, In the#r case the present stage of the dee!op"ent of soc#et$ #s )#de!$

perce#ed as a stage )#tho%t a f%t%re' as an end&stage, The c%sto"ar$ restr#ct#on of the ter"*dee!op#ng* to the poorer co%ntr#es s%ggests that representat#e sect#ons of the )ea!th#erco%ntr#es' )ho th%s perce#e a dee!op"ent on!$ #n others' are sat#sf#ed )#th the"se!es,E-cept #n a er$ !#"#ted sense the$ do not attach an$ a!%e to the f%rther dee!op"ent ofthe#r o)n soc#et$: hence #nterest #n #ts dee!op"ent %p to the#r o)n t#"e' too' hasreceded,6h#!e the$ can perhaps see that #n the case of the poorer co%ntr#es the#r dee!op"ent


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#s the str%ct%red +ac(+one of the#r h#stor$' the )ea!th#er co%ntr#es' the h#gh!$ #nd%str#a!#sednat#ons of th#s )or!d see" to hae on!$ a h#stor$' +%t not a dee!op"ent' "ost certa#n!$ not adee!op"ent that goes on' and 7h#stor$* see"s on!$ "arg#na!!$ a soc#o!og#sts*s concern;A"ong the "an$ reasons for the change fro" !ong&ter" dee!op"enta! to short&ter" stat#ctheor#es #n soc#o!og$' th#s #s certa#n!$ one< The present cond#t#ons of 7adanced* soc#et#es are

#n soc#o!og#ca! theor#es treated a!"ost as #f the$ )ere an %nchang#ng f#na! state, The short&ter" perspect#e of "an$ of the "ost prest#g#o%s soc#o!og#ca! theor#es of o%r t#"e f#nds #tse-press#on #n !a)&!#(e a+stract#ons fro" se!ected aspects of conte"porar$ 2adanced2soc#et#es presented )#th the c!a#" to +e app!#ca+!e to soc#et#es of a!! ages and reg#ons,Soc#o!og#ca! theor#es )oen aro%nd concepts s%ch as 2soc#a! s$ste"2 are an e-a"p!e, The$red%ce the !ong&ter" processes of str%ct%red and d#rect#ona! changes' to )h#ch the concept ofdee!op"ent app!#es and of )h#ch processes of #nd%str#a!#sat#on' +%rea%crat#sat#on'sc#ent#f#cat#on' %r+an#sat#on or state and nat#on +%#!d#ng processes are e-a"p!es' to an%nchang#ng state as #ts per"anent cond#t#on' )h#!e these changes the"se!es are perce#ed'at the "ost' as an %nstr%ct%red f!o)' as *h#stor$*,

A fe) pre!#"#nar$ re"ar(s' I tho%ght' "#ght he!p c!ear the dec(s, For #n order to contr#+%teto a Ro%nd Ta+!e d#sc%ss#on a+o%t *Grand Theor#es of Dee!op"ent* one has to dec#de )hat#t #s one sets o%t to d#sc%ss< h#stor#ca! theor#es = !a To$n+ee or Speng!er or soc#o!og#ca!theor#es of !ong&ter" dee!op"ent, As one can hard!$ ta(e #t for granted toda$ that thed#fference +et)een an approach to changes of soc#et#es as h#stor$ and an approach to thesechanges as dee!op"ent #s )e!! %nderstood' I tho%ght #t "#ght +e %sef%! #f I state e-p!#c#t!$that I a" concerned )#th the !atter, It "#ght he!p the d#sc%ss#on a!ong' I tho%ght' #f I set o%t'#n cont#n%at#on of "$ theor$ of !ong&ter" state for"at#on processes' so"e of the pro+!e"s)h#chone enco%nters #f one st%d#es nat#on +%#!d#ng processes' the !atest phase of a !ong !#neof state for"at#on processes at !east #n the dee!op"ent of E%ropean soc#et#es,

The pro+!e" #tse!f #s not %ncharacter#st#c of the change #n one*s percept#on #"p!#ed #n thechange fro" a stat#c to a dee!op"enta! soc#o!og#ca! parad#g", One ga#ns access topre#o%s!$ neg!ected pro+!e"s, 6#th the e-cept#on of Re#nhard Bend#-' fe) soc#o!og#stshae !oo(ed #nto the pro+!e" of nat#on +%#!d#ng and none' as far as I (no)' #nto those of!ong&ter" state for"at#on processes and the#r re!eance for soc#o!og#sts +oth on the e"p#r#ca!and the theoret#ca! !ee!, The e#dence for th#s t$pe of processes #s a!! aro%nd %s, B%t #n orderto +r#ng #t #nto one*s concept%a! net one re8%#res a t$pe of theoret#ca! parad#g" )h#ch doesnot a+stract fro" the f!o) of t#"e and red%ce' #n ref!ect#on' to stat#c ch%n(s that )h#ch oneo+seres as a cont#n%o%s "oe"ent, Man$ conte"porar$ soc#o!og#ca! theor$ +%#!ders appearto ta(e #t for granted that a t$pe of a+stract#on "ode!!ed on c!ass#ca! ph$s#cs' a+stract#ons #nthe for" of !a)&!#(e genera!#sat#ons )h#ch e-c!%de fro" the res%!t of the a+stract#on a!! that

happens #n the se8%ence of t#"e #s the tr%e +adge of a sc#ent#f#c enterpr#se, Perhaps #t has not+een stated c!ear!$ eno%gh that the a+stract#ons one enco%nters #n +#o!og#ca! theor#es andconcepts are er$ d#fferent fro" the !a)&!#(e genera!#sat#ons of c!ass#ca! ph$s#cs, So"e ofthe" #nc!%de spat#a! f#g%rat#ons and t#"e se8%ences of !ong d%rat#on, One can a!read$ seeer$ c!ear!$ that' #n #ts o)n )a$' soc#o!og#ca! theor$ "a(#ng )#!! hae to "oe #n a s#"#!ard#rect#on, The d#ff#c%!t$ #s that the t$pe of theor$ )h#ch e"erges #n that case does notcorrespond to the #dea! #"age of a theor$ )h#ch the "ost pro"#nent theoret#ca! soc#o!og#stsof o%r t#"e appear to ta(e for granted and )h#ch #s a(#nd of ph#!osoph#ca! hangoer fro" thet#"e of c!ass#ca! ph$s#cs,

Ta(e one of the +est (no)n e-a"p!es of an essent#a!!$ stat#c soc#o!og#ca! theor$ of o%r t#"e'

the theor$ )h#ch tr#es to co"e to gr#ps )#th the pro+!e"s of soc#et$ +$ present#ng soc#et$ asa 2soc#a! s$ste"2, I a" g!ad to f#nd that the !ead#ng e-ponent of conte"porar$ soc#a! s$ste"theor#es' Ta!cott Parsons' #s a"ong %s, I a" cr#t#ca! of the #nte!!ect%a! s$ste" he has +%#!t %p,


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A Ro%nd Ta+!e d#sc%ss#on at a 6or!d Congress of Soc#o!og$ #s' #t see"s to "e' the r#ghtp!ace for stat#ng so"e of the reasons for "$ cr#t#ca! att#t%de' & on!$ so"e' for "$ t#"e #sseere!$ !#"#ted' and I !#(e to co"+#ne +$ cr#t#ca! re"ar(s )#th at !east a fe) h#nts a+o%t the

pos#t#e aspects of a dee!op"enta! soc#o!og#ca! theor$ )h#ch a!one can >%st#f$ cr#t#c#s",Moreoer' "$ cr#t#ca! att#t%de to)ards Parsons* #nte!!ect%a! s$ste" #s 8%a!#f#ed +$ "$ respect

for h#s person, One "a$ d#sagree )#th h#"' +%t one cannot do%+t h#s #nte!!ect%a! s#ncer#t$ and#ntegr#t$, Nor the )#dth of h#s po)er of s$nthes#s )h#ch #s one of the 8%a!#f$#ng g#fts of thed#st#ng%#shed theor$ "a(er, 9o)eer' I cannot pers%ade "$se!f that th#s g#ft has +een %sed #nthe r#ght ca%se, Een for ana!$t#ca! p%rposes' the ass%"pt#on that *act#ons* for" a (#nd ofato"s of h%"an soc#et#es appears to "e one of those +arren for"a! genera!#?at#ons toore"ote fro" research tas(s to +e e#ther conf#r"ed or ref%ted +$ reference to o+sera+!e data,6h$ p%t *act#ons* #n the center of a theor$ of soc#et$ and not the peop!e )ho act@ If an$th#ng'soc#et#es are net)or(s of h%"an +e#ngs #n the ro%nd' not a "ed!$ of d#se"+od#ed act#ons,

Nor #s #t eas$ to see ho) the ato"#s" of s%ch a soc#o!og#ca! act#on theor$ can r%n #n harness'as a horse fro" the sa"e sta+!e' )#th a dec#de!$ not ato"#st#c theor$ accord#ng to )h#cheer$th#ng #n soc#et$ #s a dependent part of a h#gh!$ #ntegrated and nor"a!!$ s"ooth!$

f%nct#on#ng )ho!e, Th#s' too' the "ode! of soc#et$ as a *soc#a! s$ste"* a nor"a!!$ )e!! o#!edsoc#a! "ach#ner$ )here a!! parts are har"on#o%s!$ geared to each other' #s rather re"ote fro"the ro%gh and t%"+!e of "en*s soc#a! !#fe' as one can act%a!!$ o+sere #t,

It #s certa#n!$ d#ff#c%!t to app!$ to the !arger soc#et#es of the past )h#ch )ere "ore #ntegrated#n ter"s of reg#ons of soc#a! strata and een of #""#grants' than "ost of o%r conte"porar$E%ropean nat#on states, Parson*s theor$ of soc#et$ as a nor"a!!$ )e!! and h#gh!$ #ntegrateds$ste" appears to c!a#" the stat%s of a genera! soc#o!og#ca! theor$ app!#ca+!e to a!! soc#et#esof "en, One cannot he!p )onder#ng )hether #t #s not #n fact an oer&e-tended and rather#dea!#s#ng genera!#sat#on a+stracted fro" "odern nat#on states and pro>ected #n a!! the )or!d,Can the Parson#an "ode! of a *soc#a! s$ste"* )#th #ts s%pposed!$ #ntegrat#ng %n#t$ of a!%es

and of c%!t%re rea!!$ app!$ to the s!ae states of ant#8%#t$ )here soc#a! d#stances' #ne8%a!#t#esof soc#a! strata and d#fferences #n the#r c%!t%re and the#r a!%es )ere often er$ "%ch greaterand reg#ona! #ntegrat#on often er$ "%ch !ess great than o%r conte"porar$ #nd%str#a! nat#onstates@ Does #t app!$ for #nstance to the Ass$r#an or the Ro"an E"p#re@ Or to theConfederate States of the .th and ./th Cent%r$ )#th the#r "ass#e s!ae pop%!at#on@ Or tod$nast#c R%ss#a )#th her h#erarch$ of pr##!eged !ando)ners and state off#c#a!s and the "assof her peasant serfs@

If one !oo(s aro%nd #n the soc#o!og#ca! !#terat%re of o%r t#"e' #t can eas#!$ appear that nat#on&states as a spec#f#c t$pe of soc#a! for"at#on hae no p!ace at a!! #n the soc#o!og#sts* f#e!d ofen8%#r$, It ta(es so"e t#"e +efore one d#scoers that nat#on states "a(e the#r appearance as a

top#c of conte"porar$ soc#o!og$ #n a character#st#c d#sg%#se, The references to the" are"as(ed +$ a spec#f#c t$pe of a+stract#on, The$ are h#dden +eh#nd s%ch concepts as *the soc#a!)ho!e* and *tota! soc#et$* and a+oe a!! *the soc#a! s$ste"*, A!tho%gh these concepts can +eapp!#ed to other re!at#e!$ h#gh!$ #ntegrated soc#a! for"at#ons' s%ch as tr#+es' "%ch that #ssa#d a+o%t soc#et$ as a 2)ho!e2 or as a 2soc#a! s$ste"2 #n soc#o!og#ca! theor#es' s%ch as thatof Parsons' #s se!ected' a+stracted and d#st#!!ed fro" the "ost h#gh!$ and c!ose!$ #ntegratedsoc#et#es of o%r o)n t#"e& fro" nat#on states, As pro+!e"s of nat#on states for" the "a#ntop#c of "$ contr#+%t#on to th#s d#sc%ss#on' I tho%ght #t "#ght +e %sef%! to #nd#cate theconnect#on +et)een these pro+!e"s and the "ost pro"#nent of the conte"porar$ s$ste"theor#es, The !atter hae a p%re!$ descr#pt#e character often )#th stronf te!eo!og#ca!%ndertones, In Parsons* "ode! the "a#ntenance of a %n#f#ed' e8%#!#+rated and )e!! f%nct#on#ng

soc#a! s$ste" often appears as the p%rpose and a#" to)ards )h#ch a!! part&eents ared#rected, An e-a"p!e & one of "an$ & #s the descr#pt#on of po)er as *fac#!#t$ for the

perfor"ance of f%nct#on #n and on +eha!f of the soc#et$ as a s$ste"*, Sentences s%ch as th#s


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sho) er$ c!ear!$ the a+stract#on#n the ser#ce of a spec#f#c #dea!, As #n "an$ other cases'#dea! t$pes s%ch as these' p%re!$ decr#pt#e !a)&!#(e a+tract#ons sere & )#tho%t do%+t%n#ntent#ona!!$ #n th#s case & as d#sg%#ses for s%+>ect&centred a!%es, Te!eo!og$ seres as as%+st#t%te for e-p!anat#on, If one +r#ngs the *s$ste"*&concept do)n to earth' #f one as(s ho)and )h$ !ong&ter" processes of #ntegrat#on of )h#ch state for"at#on and nat#on&+%#!d#ng

processes are e-a"p!es' act%a!!$ occ%rred and occ%r' one prepares the )a$ for an e-p!anator$soc#o!og#ca! "ode!: one d#rects attent#on to the pro+e" )h$' #n the co%rse of t#"e' re!at#e!$!arge *s$ste"s* +eca"e and +eco"e #n these cases "ore h#gh!$ #ntegrated and the#r *parts*f%nct#ona!!$ "ore #nterdependent,

9o)eer' th#s t$pe of 8%est#on co"es to !#fe' #t ga#ns s%+stance and re!eance on!$ #f one hasat one*s d#sposa! a s%ff#c#ent!$ )#de and ##d !ong&ter" (no)!edge )h#ch ena+!es one to!oo( +ac( thro%gh the cent%r#es and to perce#e the cont#n%#t$ of the dee!op"ent of soc#et#es)h#ch !ed' sa$' fro" the "%!t#t%de of re!at#e!$ s"a!!' re!at#e!$ !oose!$ #ntegrated d$nast#cstates of the ..th and .0 cent%r#es' +$ )a$ of a great n%"+er of #ntegrat#on and d#s#ntegrat#onsp%rts' grad%a!!$ to !arger' "ore pop%!o%s and "ore c!ose!$ #ntegrated soc#a! %n#ts #n the

for" of the !arger d$nast#c states and then to the & so far & "ost h#gh!$ #ntegrated and#nterdependent !arge soc#et#es' the #nd%str#a! nat#on states' & %n!ess one #s a+!e to perce#e th#s!ong ter" process' one does not +eco"e a)are of the pro+!e", 9o) #s #t to +e e-p!a#ned thata dee!op"ent of soc#et#es )ent #n th#s case for cent%r#es' thro%gh a!! the f#ss#ons andf%s#ons' a!! the d#s#ntegrat#on and #ntegrat#on sp%rts' #n the d#rect#on to)ards the for"at#on of!arger and "ore c!ose!$ (n#t soc#et#es@ 9o) can one acco%nt for the fact that' oer thecent%r#es' th#s change had a spec#f#c d#rect#on' a!tho%gh #t )as %np!anned@ For )ho )as thereto p!an #t' and to e-ec%te s%ch a p!an@ I hae g#en a part ans)er to th#s pro+!e" e!se)here,304It "%st +e eno%gh here' as a contr#+%t#on to o%r pro+!e" of soc#o!og#ca! theor#es of !ong&ter" dee!op"ents' to concentrate on a fe) pro+!e"s of the !atest phase #n th#s process' ofnat#on&+%#!d#ng processes,

B$ neg!ect#ng !ong&ter" processes of #ntegrat#on and d#s#ntegrat#on as a theoret#ca! ande"p#r#ca! top#c of soc#o!og#ca! en8%#r$' soc#o!og#sts hae steered the#r d#sc#p!#ne #nto a )e!!(no)n d#!e""a: the neg!ect has ce"ented the#r d##s#on #nto t)o d#a"etr#ca!!$ opposedschoo!s' one of )h#ch p!aces co!!a+orat#on' f%nct#ona! #ntegrat#on and #nterdependence #ntothe center of #ts "ode! of soc#et$' the other tens#on' f#ss#on and conf!#ct, 6hateer the "ode#deo!og#ca! reasons for th#s d##s#on are' an$ !ong&ter" en8%#r$ #nto state for"at#on andnat#on +%#!d#ng processes can sho) that eer$ sp%rt to)ards greater #nterdependence'to)ards c!oser #ntegrat#on of h%"an gro%ps )h#ch )ere pre#o%s!$ #ndependent' or !essdepedent' or !ess rec#proca!!$ dependent' on each other' r%ns thro%gh a ser#es of spec#f#c#ntegrat#on tens#ons and conf!#cts' of +a!ance of po)er str%gg!es )h#ch are not acc#denta!' +%t

str%ct%ra! conco"#tants of these sp%rts to)ards greater f%nct#ona! #nterdependence of *parts*)#th#n a *)ho!e*, For #f t)o gro%ps +eco"e "ore' or "ore rec#proca!!$' #nterdependent thanthe$ )ere +efore' each of the" has reason to fear that #t "a$ +e do"#nated' or eenann#h#!ated' +$ the other, The str%gg!e "a$ res%!t after "an$ tests of strength #n a f%s#on, It"a$ res%!t #n the co"p!ete d#sappearance of one of the" #n the ne) %n#t e"erg#ng fro" the#rstr%gg!es, There are "an$ "ore poss#+#!#t#es, The co"p!e-#t$ of these #ntegrat#ons need notconcern %s here, It #s eno%gh to po#nt o%t that eer$ "oe to)ards greater f%nct#ona!#nterdependence +et)een h%"an gro%ps engenders str%ct%ra! tens#ons' conf!#cts andstr%gg!es' )h#ch "a$ or "a$ not re"a#n %n"anagea+!e,

Nat#on +%#!d#ng processes sho) that er$ c!ear!$, T)o "a#n t$pes of #ntegrat#on processes

stand o%t #n the#r co%rse' each )#th #ts spec#f#c #ntegrat#on str%gg!es< processes of terr#tor#a!or reg#ona! #ntegrat#on and processes of strata #ntegrat#on, A!tho%gh one can d#st#ng%#shthe"' the$ are str%ct%ra!!$ connected, In d#sc%ss#ng so"e of the#r aspects' therefore' one


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often has to "oe fro" the one to the other, One of the f#rst and one of the fe) peop!e )hohae as(ed d#rect!$ and )#tho%t c#rc%"!oc%t#on< 26hat #s nat#on@2 )as the great Frenchsaant Ernest Renan, So"e of the o+serat#ons and ref!ect#ons conta#ned #n h#s !ect%re'2%*est&ce 8%*%ne Nat#on@234are of s#gn#f#cance here, 9e sa)' for #nstance' 8%#te c!ear!$ afact )h#ch toda$ #s often concea!ed or forgotten' he recogn#?ed' that nat#ons are so"eth#ng

8%#te ne),34Nat#ona! #deo!og#es %s%a!!$ represent the nat#on as so"eth#ng er$ o!d' a!"osteterna! and #""orta!, In fact' state soc#et#es ass%"ed #n E%rope the character of nat#on states'

+road!$ spea(#ng' fro" the second part of the .th cent%r$ on, Renan po#nted o%t that noneof the great po)ers of ant#8%#t$ had the character of nat#ons, There )ere' he stated' noCh#nese c#t#?ens, 9e co%!d hae po#nted o%t that een "%ch !ater peop!e )ere treated and #ngenera! perce#ed the"se!es as s%+>ects of Pr#nces' not as fe!!o) c#t#?ens of a nat#on, Theter" 7c#t#?en* #tse!f had for 8%#te a t#"e an oppos#t#ona!' #f not an o%tr#ght reo!%t#onar$ r#ng,States ass%"ed the character#st#cs of nat#on states' #n other )ords' #n connect#on )#th spec#f#cchanges #n the d#str#+%t#on of po)er )#th#n a state soc#et$, It )as' on the one hand' a change#n the d#str#+%t#on of po)er +et)een soc#a! strata as )e!! as #n the nat%re of soc#a!strat#f#cat#on #tse!f, It )as' on the other hand' a change #n the d#str#+%t#on of po)er +et)een

goern"ents and goerned, The change #n the nat%re of strat#f#cat#on #s %s%a!!$concept%a!#sed as a change fro" strat#f#cat#on #n ter"s of d#fferent estates each )#th !ega!!$entrenched pr##!eges and d#sa+#!#t#es to a strat#f#cat#on #n the for" of soc#a! c!asses )hose"e"+ers )ere e8%a!s +efore the !a) and %ne8%a! on!$ soc#a!!$ and econo"#ca!!$, Th#strans#t#on' !#(e the nat#on&+%#!d#ng process as s%ch' )as far "ore grad%a! than #s %s%a!!$ seen,Pr##!eged gro%ps of no+!e !ando)ners )#th a strong "onopo!#st#c footho!d on theco""and#ng pos#t#ons of the#r co%ntr$*s "#!#tar$ forces' d#p!o"ac$' c##! ser#ce depart"entsand fore#gn affa#rs' reta#ned #n "ost E%ropean co%ntr#es the#r d#st#ng%#sh#ng character as a

po)erf%! soc#a! strt%" s%# gener#s' as the E%ropean %pper c!ass' %p to the F#rst 6or!d 6at #nsp#te of the gro)#ng po)er of sect#ons of the "#dd!e c!asses, The po)er e8%at#on changedd%r#ng the ./th cent%r$ s!o)!$ #n fao%r of the !atter, B%t the for"er' the E%ropeanar#stocrac$ and re!ated gro%ps +o%nd together and d#st#ng%#shed fro" other gro%ps +$ aspec#f#c trad#t#on' a strat%" c%!t%re of the#r o)n' reta#ned %nt#! ./. and #n so"e co%ntr#es'a+oe a!! #n Eng!and' "%ch !onger not on!$ the#r pos#t#on as the h#ghest stat%s gro%p' +%t a!soa spec#a! access to pr##!eged pos#t#on )#th#n the co%ntr$*s esta+!#sh"ent )h#ch sec%red forthe" at !east a "od#c%" of the#r for"er po)er s%rp!%s #n re!at#on to "#dd!e and !o)erc!asses,

It #s %sef%! to (eep #n "#nd the !ead#ng part )h#ch representat#e sect#ons of the trad#t#ona!E%ropean %pper c!asses cont#n%ed to p!a$ #n the affa#rs of E%ropean soc#et#es at !east %p tothe F#rst 6or!d 6ar' #f one )ant to %nderstand the grad%a!ness )#th )h#ch d$nast#c statestransfor"ed the"se!es #nto nat#on states, Fo!!o)#ng Mar- and perhaps s!#ght!$"#s#nterpret#ng h#s "ode! of the dee!op"ent of E%ropean soc#et#es' "an$ peop!e hae toda$an oer&s#"p!#f#ed p#ct%re of the change #n the strat#f#cat#on of E%ropean soc#et#es )h#ch

p!a$s so !arge a part #n the change fro" d$nast#c to nat#ona! states, Accord#ng to th#s p#ct%rethe French reo!%t#on represents an a+so!%te caes%ra +et)een an order #n )h#ch )hat Mar-ca!!ed a 7fe%da! c!ass* of pr#nces' !anded ar#stocrats and re!ated gro%ps' for"ed the 7r%!#ngc!ass*34of soc#et$ and a soc#a! order #n )h#ch the +o%rgeo#s#e +ro(e the po)er of the 7fe%da!c!ass* and too( #ts p!ace as the r%!#ng c!ass of soc#et$, In act%a! fact pr#nces and ar#stocrat#cagrar#an gro%ps of one (#nd or the other cont#n%ed to p!a$ a er$ dec#s#e part as spec#f#c foc#of po)er #n "ost E%ropean soc#et#es after the French reo!%t#on, For the greater part of the./th cent%r$' the "a#n a-#s of soc#a! tens#ons and conf!#ct of E%ropean soc#et#es )as not that

+et)een )or(ers and cap#ta!#sts, The ./th cent%r$ )as and re"a#ned a per#od of three&cornered str%gg!es +et)een !ando)n#ng ar#stocrat#c and co%rt e!#tes' r#s#ng #nd%str#a! "#dd!ec!ass gro%ps and' +eh#nd the"' the r#s#ng #nd%str#a! )or(#ng c!asses, The e-press#on 7"#dd!ec!ass* as a c!ass#f$#ng ter" for the entreprene%r#a! c!asses' )h#ch #s hard!$ an$ !onger


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appropr#ate toda$' refers to the#r pos#t#on #n th#s three&cornered +att!e, As the #nd%str#a!)or(#ng c!asses )ere d%r#ng the f#rst part of the ./th cent%r$ and often "%ch !onger' st#!!er$ #neffect#e!$ organ#sed' often hard!$ !#terate and er$ poor' the str%gg!e of the %r+anentreprene%r#a! c!asses for stronger part#c#pat#on #n state affa#rs and aga#nst the do"#nance ofthe trad#t#ona! %pper c!asses )as for a t#"e "ore ac%te on the state !ee! than that +et)een

gro%ps of )or(ers and entreprene%rs )h#ch st#!! re"a#ned often !atent' )h#ch' #f #t ca"e #ntothe open' re"a#ned !arge!$ sporad#c' d#ff%se' #nter"#ttent and )h#ch )as hard!$ fo%ght o%ta+oe the !oca! !ee! )#th an$ degree of effect#eness pr#or to the second ha!f of the ./thcent%r$, The s!o)!$ r#s#ng po)er of the organ#sed #nd%str#a! )or(#ng c!asses great!$contr#+%ted to the rapproch"ent +et)een !anded and #nd%str#a! #nterests, The decrease #n thetens#on +et)een the"' often !ead#ng to co"pro"#se and a!!#ance #n a co""on str%gg!eaga#nst )or(#ng c!ass representat#es' too( a d#fferent for" #n d#fferent soc#et#es: +%t #t )as%s%a!!$ the pre!%de to the r#se of "en represent#ng the trad#t#ons of the %r+an #nd%str#a!"#dd!e c!asses to the co""and#ng pos#t#ons of the state and the grad%a! retreat fro" these

pos#t#ons of "e"+ers of the o!d %pper c!asses' )ho presered a "od#c%" of the#r trad#t#onand #dea!s, 6hether the for"er had the face of G!adstone' Th#ers or Strese"ann' the#r adent

)as s$"pto"at#c of the adance of sect#ons of the for"er "#dd!e c!asses' of the %r+an#nd%str#a! c!asses' to)ards the pos#t#on of the core gro%p of the state, The "#dd!e c!asses' one"#ght sa$' ahd +eco"e #ntegrated #nto the state' or' as Parsons has p%t #t' 7#nc!%ded*, B%t th#sconcept%a!#sat#on #s not )ho!!$ ade8%ate, It g#es the #"press#on that a ne) strat%" has +een7#nc!%ded* #n a *soc#a! s$ste"* )h#ch as s%ch re"a#ns %nchanged,34In act%a! fact the r#se to a

pos#t#on of greater po)er )#th#n the state soc#et$ of representat#es of the entreprene%r#a!c!asses )as s$"pto"at#c of a transfor"at#on of 7the s$ste"* #tse!f, It "ar(ed the po#nt of noret%rn at )h#ch the est#ges of the d$nast#c&ar#stocar#c order of soc#et$ s!o)!$ faded #nto the

+ac(gro%nd and at )h#ch the state entered #ts f#rst phase as a f%!!$&f!edged nat#ona! state & thef#rst phase +eca%se the +roadest strata of the nat#on st#!! re"a#ned !arge!$ e-c!%ded ando%ts#ders, D#srae!# spea(#ng of 7t)o nat#ons* fo%nd a te!!#ng )ord for #t, It #s perhaps not%ncharacter#st#c of the three&cornered tens#on f#g%rat#on of soc#et#es #n the second part of the./th cent%r$ that #n Ger"an$ as #n Eng!and the !eaders of conserat#e gro%ps )#th strongagrar#an #nterests' B#s"ar( and D#srae!#' each #n the#r o)n )a$ tr#ed to #"proe thecond#t#ons of the )or(#ng c!asses part!$ #n the hope of )#nn#ng the" oer as a!!#es #n the#rstr%gg!e )#th part#es "ore representat#e of %r+an "an%fact%r#ng and !#+era! gro%ps' part!$ #norder to co%nter the gro)th of )or(#ng c!ass part#es,

One can sa$' th%s' that #nd%str#a!#sat#on and nat#on +%#!d#ng are t)o facets of the sa"etransfor"at#on of soc#et#es, B%t one cannot c!ear!$ #nd#cate the connect#on %n!ess one !#n(s

+oth these processes to an oera!! change #n the d#str#+%t#on of po)er chances #n soc#et$,There #s a s#"p!e )a$ to de"onstrate th#s change a!tho%gh #t )o%!d re8%#re "%ch greatere!a+orat#on to do #t con#nc#ng!$, D$nast#c states are character#st#c of a stage #n thedee!op"ent of soc#et#es at )h#ch the reso%rces of po)er are er$ %neen!$ d#str#+%ted

+et)een r%!#ng e!#tes and the "ass of the pop%!at#on, In "an$ cases /1 or "ore of thepop%!at#on of a co%ntr$ hae no #nst#t%t#ona! "eans' no reg%!ar channe!s of co""%n#cat#ons)h#ch ena+!e the" to #nf!%ence dec#s#ons of gro%ps )#th access to the co""and#ng pos#t#onsof the state )h#ch affect the#r !#es, Een access to estate asse"+!#es' )#th er$ fe)e-cept#ons' #s' #n pract#ce' open on!$ to s"a!! e!#te gro%ps, In "an$ cases pr#nces andgoern"ent are a+!e to r%!e for !ong per#ods )#tho%t a!!o)#ng estate asse"+!#es to "eet,

Noth#ng #s "ore character#st#c of the change #n the d#str#+%t#on of po)er #nd#cated +$ thetransfor"at#on of d$nast#c #nto nat#ona! states than the e"ergence of "ass part#es as a reg%!ar

#nst#t%t#on of nat#on states, The )#despread d#scontent )#th "ass part#es )h#ch do not ens%rea gen%#ne part#c#pat#on of the gro%ps )h#ch the$ no"#na!!$ represent o+sc%res the +as#csoc#o!og#ca! pro+!e's )#th )h#ch one #s faced +$ the great reg%!ar#t$ )#th )h#ch "ass part#esare for"ed as stand#ng #nst#t%t#ons #n a!! the "ore adanced and een "an$ !ess adanced


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soc#et#es of o%r t#"e, One %s%a!!$ fa#!s to as( )h#ch dee!op"ents' )h#ch str%ct%res ofsoc#et#es acco%nt for the e"ergence of nat#on&)#de po!#t#ca! part#es and of part$ goern"entsas reg%!ar #nst#t%t#ons #n the ./th and 01th cent%r#es@ Ineffect#e or not' nat#on&)#de part#esand part$ goern"ent are s$"pto"at#c of a stage #n the dee!op"ent of soc#et#es' at )h#chthe #ntegrat#on of a state&pop%!at#on has +eco"e c!oser' at )h#ch #t #s no !onger poss#+!e to

ta(e dec#s#ons affect#ng the !#es of the pop%!at#on of a co%ntr$ ent#re!$ )#tho%t reg%!archanne!s of co""%n#cat#on +et)een dec#s#on&"a(ers and those affected +$ the#r dec#s#ons,The +a!ance of po)er +et)een gro%ps )#th access to pos#t#ons )h#ch ena+!e the" to ta(edec#s#ons oer the !#es of others and gro%ps )#th !#tt!e or no access to these dec#s#ons #s no!onger 8%#te as %neen as #t )as #n ear!#er stages of soc#a! dee!op"ent, The rec#proc#t$ ofthe dependence of goern"ent on those the$ goern and of the goerned on goern"ents'tho%gh st#!! %neen eno%gh' has +eco"e !ess %neen than #t %sed to +e, The +a!ance of part#es#n d#fferent co%ntr#es #s a fa#r!$ e-act #nd#cator of th#s +a!ance of po)er and #ts f!%ct%at#ons,

One can see the connect#on +et)een the soc#a! #nst#t%t#on of part#es and the propert#es ofnat#on states, Soc#et#es ass%"e the character#st#cs of nat#ons #s the f%nct#ona! #nterdependence

+et)een #ts reg#ons and #ts soc#a! strata as )e!! as #ts h#erarch#c !ee!s of a%thor#t$ ands%+ord#nat#on +eco"es s%ff#c#ent!$ great and s%ff#c#ent!$ rec#proca! for none of the" to +ea+!e to d#sregard co"p!ete!$ )hat the others th#n(' fee! or )#sh, Goern"ent +$ part$ !eadersand the adopt#on +$ +oth' goern"ents and part#es' of #deo!og$ des#gned to con#nce the"ass of the pop%!at#on that the$ regard the #"proe"ent of the#r cond#t#ons' the adance ofthe )e!fare of the nat#on as the#r centra! tas( are s$"pto"at#c of the er$ prononced change#n the +a!ance of po)er +et)een goern"ents and goerned of )h#ch I hae spo(en, There #sno do%+t that een the "ost adanced of o%r conte"porar$ #nd%str#a! nat#on states are st#!! #nthe ear!$ stages of these processes of nat#on +%#!d#ng, I hae not +een a+!e here to e-p!a#n thereasons )h$ the$ hae got %nder )a$, Nor )o%!d I pree"pt the f%t%re and sa$ the$ "%st and)#!! go f%rther #n that d#rect#on, B%t perhaps I hae c!ar#f#ed so"e of the connect#ons +et)een

eents )h#ch are acade"#ca!!$ often c!ass#f#ed %nder d#fferent head#ngs, Po!#t#ca! part#es andeen nat#ons "a$ not appear as a soc#o!og#sts* concern' soc#a! c!asses not as that of a po!#t#ca!sc#ent#st' )h#!e #nd%str#a!#sat#on "a$ +e regarded as the econo"#st*s presere' and d$nast#cstates as that of the h#stor#an, Het the connect#ons are there for a!! to see pro#ded one has a!ongt#"e perspect#e and foc%sses attent#on on the chang#ng po)er re!at#ons +et)eend#fferent soc#a! gro%ps,

For the t#"e +e#ng I hae s#"p!$ tr#ed to p%t #nto perspect#e the pro+!e" of nat#on +%#!d#ng,The se!f"ages of nat#ons' for reasons a+o%t )h#ch I hae to sa$ "ore' %s%a!!$ g#e the#"press#on to the"e"+ers of each of the" that the#r nat#on e-#sted' #n essent#a!s' %nchangedfor "an$ cent%r#es #f not for eer, 6hat #s toda$ ta%ght as h#stor$ of one*s o)n co%ntr$'

ho)eer "an$ changes #t "a$ sho) )h#ch hae occ%rred a"ong the #nha+#tants of thatco%ntr$ oer the cent%r#es' can %s%a!!$ +e acco"odated to the re8%#re"ents of a nat#ona! se!f"age )h#ch represents one*s o)n nat#on as %nchang#ng thro%gho%t the ages #n #ts +as#ccharacter#st#cs, Conte"porar$ state&soc#et#es )h#ch are st#!! #n the ear!$ stages of a statefor"at#on and nat#on +%#!d#ng process' #n "an$ cases are a!read$ +eg#nn#ng to constr%ct as#"#!ar #"age of the"se!es & an #"age of the nat#ona! past )#th )h#ch present generat#onscan #dent#f$ the"se!es' )h#ch g#es the" a fee!#ng of pr#de #n the#r o)n nat#ona! #dent#t$and )h#ch can sere as a cata!$st #n a nat#on +%#!d#ng process that %s%a!!$ #nc!%des the#ntegrat#on of d#sparate reg#ona! gro%ps and d#fferent soc#a! strata aro%nd certa#n do"#nantcore gro%ps,

There #s "%ch to +e sa#d for st%d$#ng these processes fact%a!!$, B%t #n order to do so' one"%ct +e a+!e to d#st#ng%#sh +et)een nat#ona! #deo!og#es )h#ch "a(e a nat#on appear as an%nchang#ng and )e!! #ntegrated soc#a! s$ste" of great a!%e' and the o+sera+!e !ongter"


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processes of 0J #ntegrat#on and d#st#ntegrat#on #n the co%rse of )h#ch tens#ons andstr%gg!es +et)een centr#f%ga! and centr#peta! tendenc#es and +et)een esta+!#shed ando%ts#der gro%ps occ%r as a reg%!ar feat%re character#st#c of the str%ct%re of thesedee!op"ents, One "%st +e a+!e to perce#e nat#ons as a spec#f#c t$pe of #ntegrat#on )h#chre8%#res e-p!anat#on and )h#ch cannot +e e-p!a#ned %n!ess one recogn#?es state for"at#on

processes' and' as one of the#r phases' nat#on +%#!d#ng processes' as !ong&ter" processes #nthe se8%ence of t#"e' and cons#ders that nat#on +%#!d#ng processes' far fro" represent#ng the!ast and %!t#"ate sp%rt of a state for"at#on process' "a$ +e fo!!o)ed +$ #ntegrat#ons on ah#gher post&nat#ona! !ee! of )h#ch one can see the +eg#nn#ngs' for e-a"p!e' #n 6estern andEastern E%rope' a"ong gro%ps of Ara+ states and so"e of the Afr#can states, Soc#o!og#ca!!$spea(#ng the sc#ent#f#c e-p!orat#on of these conte"porar$ #ntegrat#on and d#s#ntegrat#onsp%rts can thro) !#ght on past sp%rts of th#s t$pe' on ear!#er state for"at#on processes and #ceersa, The not#on that soc#o!og#ca! pro+!e"s of o%r o)n t#"e and those of past ages "%st orcan +e p%rs%ed' as #t )ere' #n separate co"part"ents +$ d#fferent acade"#c d#sc#p!#nes #sgreat!$ "#s!ead#ng, In fact' the st%d$ of !ong&ter" soc#a! processes and espec#a!!$ of

processes of #ntegrat#on and d#s#ntegrat#on sho)s er$ c!ear!$ the need for a %n#f#ed and

#ntgrat#ng theoret#ca! fra"e)or( for the soc#a! sc#ences, The#r present +o%ndar#es and the#r#ncessant stat%s str%gg!es' together )#th the effects of these str%gg!es on theor#es andconent#ons of research' hae #ncreas#ng!$ ha"pered the#r adance to)ards greater certa#nt$and ade8%ac$ of the (no)!edge the$ prod%ce of the#r spec#a! f#e!d' of h%"an soc#et$, These

+o%ndar#es and str%gg!es re#nforce the tendenc$ to)ards short&ter" perspect#es that prea#!#n "ost of the", Sooner or !ater a re&e-a"#nat#on of the#r trad#t#ona! re!at#onsh#p )#!! +eco"enecessar$,

., See N, E!#as' K+er den Pro?ess der ##!#sat#on, Berne and M%n#ch' .//' Introd%ct#on tothe second ed#t#on,

0, N, E!#as' K+er den Pro?ess der ##!#sat#on' #+#d,, Ernest Renan' %*est&ce 8%*%ne Nat#on@, Par#s' .0,

, #+#d' p, 0,

, Mar- does not $et c!ear!$ d#st#ng%#sh +et)een ear!$ "ed#ea! t$pes of no+!es )#th no or!#tt!e #nco"e #n the for" of "one$ and the do"#nant .th cent%r$ t$pes' the co%rtar#stocrac$' !##ng !arge!$ on a "one$ #nco"e, To ca!! +oth *fe%da!* #s rather "#s!ead#ng, Ihae sho)n so"e of the d#fferences and so"e of the reasons for the transfor"at#on of a !atefe%da! no+#!#t$ #nto an ar#stocrac$ centred on a Co%rt' #n *D#e 9f#sche Gese!!schaft*,So?#o!og#sche Te-te' Ne%)#ed and Ber!#n' .//,

, Parsons recogn#ses er$ c!ear!$ that a *s$ste"* can +e d##ded #nto s%per#or and #nfer#orc!asses, One can see' th#s' that s$ste" #s a soph#st#cated shorthand for a co%ntr$ s%ch asFrance' Eng!and or the USA, 9e e-p!#c#t!$ "ent#ons cases #n )h#ch an %pper c!ass"onopo!#?es the stat%s of rea! "e"+ersh#p' treat#ng a !o)er c!ass c!ass as second c!assc#t#?enr$, B%t he e#dent!$ shr#n(s fro" the harshness of the str%gg!es and conf!#cts )h#chfor" an #ntegra! part of the r#se of the 7second c!ass* c#t#?enr$' of )h#ch the str%gg!e +et)eenthe r#s#ng #nd%str#a! "#dd!e c!asses aga#nst the ar#stocrat#c %pper c!asses #s a good e-a"p!e,Th#s #s ho) Parsons for"%!ates h#s concern 3#n *Soc#et#es< Eo!%t#onar$ and Co"parat#ePerspect#es*' Prent#ce&9a!!' ./' p, 004< 2For these reasons d#fferent#at#on and%pgrad#ng

processes "a$ re8%#re 3"$ #ta!#cs & N,E,4 the #nc!%s#on #n a stat%s of f%!! "e"+ersh#p #n the

re!eant genera! co""%n#t$ s$ste" of pre#o%s!$ e-c!%ded gro%ps )h#ch hae dee!oped!eg#t#"ate capac#t#es to 2contr#+%te2 to the f%nct#on#ng of the s$ste",2


9/9

Once "ore Parsons* te!eo!og#ca! perspect#e asserts #tse!f, The 7f%nct#on#ng of the s$ste"* #sthe end, If for"er!$ e-c!%ded gro%ps hae dee!oped 7!eg#t#"ate capac#t#es* )h#ch ena+!ethe" to contr#+%te to the f%nct#on#ng s$ste"' then the$ sho%!d no !onger +e e-c!%ded, As onecan see' the 7s$ste"* does not change, Ne)!$ ad"#tted gro%ps "ere!$ f#t #nto #t, Noe-p!anat#on #s g#en as to the peop!e )ho >%dge )hether an e-c!%ded gro%p has dee!oped

7!eg#t#"ate* capac#t#es for f#tt#ng #nto the e-#st#ng s$ste", One does not (no) )hat to ad"#re"ore' the patent s#ncer#t$ and good )#!! or the d#sar"#ng na##t$ and #nco"prehens#on )h#chone enco%nters here,

Transactions of the 7thWorld Congress of Sociology 1970, Vol. 3Sof#a< ISA' ./50< 05&

Forrs: http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/social/elias/state.html

Documents

Elias Nation Building