Biography of Charles Tilly
Charles Tilly was an influential American sociologist, political scientist, and historian known for his extensive research on social movements, state formation, and the role of war in societal development. Born on May 20, 1929, Tilly’s academic career spanned several decades, during which he published numerous works that significantly impacted the fields of sociology and political science. His seminal work, “Coercion, Capital, and European States, AD 990–1992,” explores the intricate relationship between state formation and military conflict, providing a foundation for much of modern state theory.
“War made the state, and the state made war.”
– Charles Tilly
Analysis of Tilly’s Quote in the Context of International Relations
“War made the state, and the state made war.” This powerful assertion by Charles Tilly encapsulates the essence of the Realist theory in international relations, emphasizing the inextricable link between warfare and state development. Realism, which posits that the international system is anarchic and that states must rely on their power to ensure survival, provides a robust framework for understanding Tilly’s perspective.
Historically, the formation of modern states can be traced back to their capacity to wage war and protect their territories. In medieval Europe, for instance, the constant threat of conflict necessitated the development of centralized authorities capable of raising armies, collecting taxes, and organizing resources. Tilly argued that these pressures of war led to the establishment of bureaucratic states, which in turn perpetuated warfare as a means of consolidating power and expanding influence.
The historical focus on European state formation illustrates how the need for military capacity drove the creation of modern political entities. During the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), both England and France underwent significant political transformations. The necessity to fund prolonged military campaigns led to innovations in taxation and governance, which laid the groundwork for modern state structures. France, for example, saw the centralization of royal power and the establishment of a standing army, developments directly tied to its wartime exigencies (Tilly, 1992).
Moreover, the Realist perspective underscores that states, once formed, continue to engage in war as a means of securing and expanding their power. This cyclical relationship between war and state-making is evident in the colonial expansions of European powers during the 16th and 17th centuries. States like Spain, Portugal, and later Britain and France, used military force to acquire and control vast overseas territories, reinforcing their domestic power and wealth.
In contemporary international relations, Tilly’s assertion remains relevant. The formation of new states and the persistence of interstate conflict can often be traced back to the dynamics he described. For instance, the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s led to the emergence of new states like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, each engaged in warfare as a means of establishing and securing their sovereignty (Baker, 2015).
Similarly, in regions like the Middle East, the creation of new political entities and the ongoing conflicts highlight the continuing relevance of Tilly’s theory.
Tilly’s quote also speaks to the enduring nature of the security dilemma in international relations. As states build military capabilities to defend themselves, they inadvertently threaten other states, prompting an arms race and increasing the likelihood of conflict. This perpetual cycle reinforces the Realist view that war and state-making are fundamentally linked processes.
In conclusion, Charles Tilly’s insight that “War made the state, and the state made war” offers a profound understanding of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of state formation and conflict. Through the lens of Realist theory, it becomes clear that the development of modern states is deeply rooted in their capacity for warfare, and that this relationship continues to shape the international system today.
References cited by ChatGPT:
Baker, C. (2015). The Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Springer.
Tilly, C. (1992). Coercion, Capital, and European States, AD 990–1992. Wiley-Blackwell.
Human References:
ChatGPT. (n.d.). OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/#
TILLY, CHARLES. (2022, 22 abril). Traficantes de Sueños. https://traficantes.net/autorxs/tilly-charles
Camisão, S. A. A. I. (2018, 5 agosto). Introducing Realism in International Relations Theory. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/27/introducing-realism-in-international-relations-theory/
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