Greek city-states: oligarchy aristocracy, monarchy, democracy; Hellenistic empires; Roman state: republic, tribute empire, idea of citizenship, feudalism develops; loyalty to state, to king, or to church
Feudal states, royalty, aristocracy common; Oligarchy = church states, Italian, German republics, imperial cities; Holy Roman Empire; new kings, bureaucracy; State vs Church, central vs local
Mercantilist overseas empires; divine right absolutism, nation states; centralization, rise of parliaments; social contracts, idea of popular sovereignty, constitutions
Increasing democracy, parliamentary rule; limits on royal power; nationalism; increased suffrage, first political parties, prime minister independent judiciary; socialism, Marxism
Totalitarian, Fascist states; rise of socialist, labor parties; WW II begins decolonization of empires; welfare states; supranational state in EU, trans-national institutions
Greco-Roman model of government, constitution; notion of syncretism, local adaptations
Rise of modern state, nationalism, checks and balances; state replaces religion in life
EASTERN
EUROPE
Tribal government; village councils for settled areas; nomads: royal lineages, warrior aristocracy
Tribal government; village councils for settled areas; nomads: royal lineages, warrior aristocracy; Byzantine in Balkans
Decentralized royal states, aristocracy; Byzantine Empire = centralized state with bureaucracy, Caesaro-papism; state formation period with rulers searching for model to follow
Russia, Austria = centralized empires, local nobility rule; Poland decentralized aristocratic republic with elected monarch; Ottomans in Balkans;
Germany, Austria, Russia rule most of Eastern Europe; nationalism leads to rise of ethnic states in Balkans; Ottomans drive from Balkans
Nationalism, socialism, struggle for control; fascism in many states; Russian Revolution, Marxist-Leninist state, Soviet satellites; post-1989 sees democracy, ethnic tension
Local interests, patterns; weak states often with kings struggling against nobles
Centralization vs localism, ethnic nationalism vie with westernization, Communism, Fascism
REGIONS
Ancient
To 1200 BCE
Classical
To 600 CE
Post-Classical
600 – 1450 CE
Early Modern
1450 – 1750 CE
Modern
1750 – 1914 CE
Contemporary
1914 - Present
MESOAMERICA & CARIBBEAN
Hunting bands, tribal government; Olmec royal absolutism with aristocracy, priests
Mayan city-states with royal absolutism, nobles, priests; tribute empire in Teotihuacan Hunting bands, tribal government elsewhere
Some empire building in Mayan area; Toltec tribute state; Aztec Empire with royal absolutism, nobles, priests, clan/castes
Spanish model: mercantilist empire, viceroyalty run by Iberian elites, local creoles have local, limited influence; church assists state; limited French, English influence
French, American revolution leads to independence; ideas of centralism, federalism, liberalism struggle; military rule, caudillos
Mexican Revolution, Cuban Revolution; Socialism, Marxism, democracy struggle against military rule; rise of democracy
Tribal states coexist with more centralized royal states; kings powers limited by elites, priests
Decentralized imperial state, issues: centralization, decentralization, reform; minority rights
SUB-AHARAN
AFRICA
Stateless societies, tribal government, royal lineages continue throughout history even when complex government arose
European colonial empires rule Africa: direct, indirect rule; Europeans rule thru local elites; apartheid in South Africa;
Decolonization: 1956-89; most states ruled by tribal, traditional elites, most military or personal dictatorships; nation building, identities thwarted by constant ethnic strife
Weak state structures; power within clans, tribes, chiefs
Tribute empires, local interests and systems, Islamic states
Empires, colonies, resistance, adaptation of western models
SOUTH AMERICA
Hunting bands, tribal government
City-states with royal absolutism, priestly class, tribute empire
Royal absolutism, split inheritance; priests, aristocrats assist kings; city states, small tribute empires = Chan Chan, Moche
Strong continuity by Incan Empire; rise of small tribute, tribal states in rest of area often with kings; Spanish, Portuguese colonial empires
French, American revolution leads to independence; ideas of centralism, federalism, liberalism struggle; military rule, caudillos
Socialism, Marxism, democracy struggle against military rule; rise of democracy; Peron’s Argentina, Vargas Brazil = state corporatism
Tribal states coexist with more centralized royal states; kings powers limited by elites, priests
Decentralized imperial state, issues: centralization, decentralization, reform; minority rights
SOUTHEAST
ASIA, OCEANIA
Tribal governments;
Rise of royal chiefs, lineages; Vietnam = Chinese province; Funan first tribute empire; Indians bring raja, Indian models but not castes
Tribute empires, trading states with merchant aristocracy; Vietnam empire on Chinese model; Khmer Empire on Indian model
Arrival of Islam brings Muslim models; some tribute states in Siam, Burma; European states est. colonies; Sp = Philippines; Dutch = Indonesia
European empires spread control; direct, indirect rule; only Siam = independent protectorate of UK, Fr.; US in Philippines
Decolonization, strong nationalism; states = military, authoritarian Vietnamese revolution, communist state; new Malaysia, Philippines democratic republics; Islamic extremism
Decentralization, weaker states; outside models from India, China but rarely social classes
Strong influence of Islam, European models; local control by elites, adapting outside models
USA & CANADA
Hunting bands, tribal government
Hunting bands, tribal government
City-states, tribute states based on Meso-American models: Moundbuilders, Anaszi, Iroquois Confederation
British, French, Dutch settler colonies under royal, charter, and proprietary rule; elite is mercantilist, planter aristocracy; charters, self-government, private property critical
Colonies give way to federal, con-federal democracies; checks, balances, judicial oversight, 3 branches of government, civil rights