Since major states can no longer protect their citizens from nuclear annihilation, the fundamental "protection for obedience" bargain is broken.
The "Rise" phase was driven by the state's ability to provide security and order more efficiently than its predecessors. Key milestones included:
The "Decline" began in the mid-20th century. Van Creveld identifies several factors eroding the state’s dominance: The Rise and Decline of the State
To fund constant warfare, states developed sophisticated systems for extracting resources and managing populations.
By the 19th century, the state had become the primary focus of human loyalty, culminating in the "total state" which could mobilize entire populations for industrial-scale war. The Decline: Loss of Purpose and Legitimacy Since major states can no longer protect their
The state dismantled private armies and feudal systems, centralizing military power.
The book is widely praised for its historical breadth and provocative timing, though critics often argue that Van Creveld underestimates the state’s adaptability. While the state may be losing its monopoly in certain areas, it remains the only entity capable of providing large-scale legal frameworks and social safety nets. Van Creveld identifies several factors eroding the state’s
Modern conflict has shifted from interstate wars to "low-intensity" struggles (terrorism, insurgency) that centralized bureaucracies are poorly equipped to handle.