The State: Its History and Development Viewed Sociologically — John Shaqi
The State: Its History and Development Viewed SociologicallyOppenheimer, Franz
History
The State: Its History and Development Viewed Sociologically
Oppenheimer, Franz
State, The
of Classes.” It rather resembles a condition which appears to have
come about through a “social contract.” This stage is approached by
the Australian Colonies, excepting Queensland, which after the feudal
manner still exploits the half enslaved Kanakas. It is almost attained
in New Zealand.
So long as there is no general assent as to the origin and essence of
states historically known or as to the sociological meaning of the word
“State,” it would be futile to attempt to force into use a new name
for these most advanced commonwealths. They will continue to be called
“states” in spite of all protests, especially because of the pleasure
of using confusing concepts. For the purpose of this study, however, we
propose to employ a new concept, a different verbal lever, and shall
speak of the result of the new process as a “Freemen’s Citizenship.”
This summary survey of the states of the past and present should, if
space permitted, be supplemented by an examination of the facts offered
by the study of races, and of those states which are not treated in our
falsely called “Universal History.” On this point, the assurance may be
accepted that here again our general rule is valid without exception.
Everywhere, whether in the Malay Archipelago, or in the “great
sociological laboratory of Africa,” at all places on this planet where
the development of tribes has at all attained a higher form, the State
grew from the subjugation of one group of men by another. Its basic
justification, its raison d’être, was and is the economic exploitation
of those subjugated.
The summary review thus far made may serve as proof of the basic
premise of this sketch. The pathfinder, to whom, before all others,
we are indebted for this line of investigation is Professor Ludwig
Gumplowicz of Graz, jurist and sociologist, who crowned a brave life
by a brave self-chosen death. We can, then, in sharp outlines, follow
in the sufferings of humanity the path which the State has pursued in
its progress through the ages. This we propose now to trace from the
primitive state founded on conquest to the “freemen’s citizenship.”
CHAPTER II
THE GENESIS OF THE STATE
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