The Modern State in Western Europe: Three Narratives of its Formation

Abstract

This paper deals with a still very pressing topic, and lively debate, within Political Science and International Relations – the formation of modern states. It delineates the main narratives that seek to explain the formation of the modern state in Western Europe, namely: an economic, a managerial, and a military narrative. Rather than seeking to observe which narrative has more explanatory power over the other, the paper understands each narrative, as well as the authors within them, as an important part of a theoretical mosaic that seeks to understand and explain a dubious, non-linear, diverse and full of setbacks and false starts process that is the formation of the modern state. Therefore, the paper delineates each one of the aforementioned narratives while shedding light on their fundamental arguments, authors and rationale. Finally, the paper provides a middle ground framework in regards to the state formation in Western Europe where the distinct narratives can meet and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the process in which the modern state was formed.