The Origins of the Modern State in Europe as a Topic in the Theory of Social Selection - article ; n°1 ; vol.171, pg 45-60

Publications de l'École française de Rome - Année 1993 - Volume 171 - Numéro 1 - Pages 45-60
The origins of the modern state in Europe are analyzed within the framework of a general sociological theory according to which societies evolve through a process analogous but not reducible to natural selection. Particular attention is given to the divergent evolution of the English and French monarchies over the period from 1200 to 1700 and to the different functions for which the practices defining the roles of monarchs and their most powerful subjects were selected.
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