Proto-state

A proto-state or State embryo is a State in development. ^{[note 1]} This term was created by the prehistorians to designate an intermediate phase between the society of leadership (clans, tribes…) and a static political organization.^[1]

Historically

Societies in the world around 1000 BC.

Hunter-gatherer   Nomad herders   Simple farming societies

Complex farming societies/chiefdoms   States   Unihabitated

Prehistoric society was divided into communities tribally organized. However, in Metal Age the first cities were created. These were the first proto-states.

In the Ancient times, none polity complied the requirements to be a considered a State. However, they were not chiefdoms, but something in between. That is why even some empires are considered proto-states.

In Plato's book Republic^{[note 2]} it is described the structure of an ideal State. Maquiavelo was the one who introduced the term State using the Italian term stato, evolved form the Latin status.

All the States and Governments by which men are or ever have been ruled, have been and are either Republics or Princedoms.

— Maquiavelo, The Prince^{[note 3]}

However, since the nowaday concept of State comes from the end of the Ancien Régime and the start of the Contemporary era, a lot of “nations”, realms and other medieval feudal entities could be considered as proto-states.

Nowadays

Dáesh controlled areas

Proto-states are not able to exert their national sovereignty entirely because of the fault of institutions and may be not recognised by the international community. Nowadays, most of the proto-states have appeared because of failures in the previous State (failed state) or the failed attempt of impose a State to a ethnic minority geographically concentrated. They use to be in permanent war and have few wealth. Their population use to be reduced.^[2] The most important case is the Islamic State.^[3][4][5] Although many people consider it a insurgent terrorist group, in fact it is a proto-state: it owns a bureaucracy, is able to exert a legal monopoly —even collecting taxes— and has an army. It is a totalitarian proto-state that finances itself by mafia methods and attracts Muslims of other countries.^[6] Other examples are postcolonial Mali, early Kosovo^[2] and Palestine.^[7]

See also

• Government
• Public administration

Notes and references

Notes

1. From the Greek prōto- (πρωτο-), which means “in first place in the time”.
2. Works related to The Republic at Wikisource
3. Works related to The Prince at Wikisource

References

1. El Khoury, Georges. "Typologie de réformes de l’Etat: Un moyen de changement garantissant la souveraineté étatique" (PDF) (in French). Retrieved 12 March 2016.
2. Torreblanca, José Ignacio (12 July 2010). "Estados-embrión". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 March 2016 – via http://www.elpais.com/.
3. Segurado, Nacho (16 April 2015). "¿Por qué Estado Islámico le está ganando la partida a los herederos de Bin Laden?". 20 minutos (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2016 – via http://www.20minutos.es/.
4. Rengel, Carmen (5 April 2015). "Javier Martín: "El Estado Islámico tiene espíritu de gobernar y permanecer"" (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2016 – via http://www.huffingtonpost.es/.
5. "Islamic State: The struggle to stay rich - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
6. Martín Rodríguez 2015, p. 15.
7. Jaulmes, Adrien. "Ramallah, capitale d'un proto-État". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 17 March 2016.

Bibliography

• Martín Rodríguez, Javier (2015). Estado Islámico. Geopolítica del Caos [Islamic State. Chaos geopolitics] (in Spanish) (3rd ed.). Madrid,  Spain: Los Libros de la Catarata. ASIN 8490970084. ISBN 978-84-9097-054-6. Retrieved 1 March 2016.