WAR MADE THE STATE, AND THE STATE MADE WAR ... POLITICAL SCIENCE 4640 MID-TERM NOTES

In my International Political Economy class (PS 4640) we have a mid-term this Thursday (2-23-17). Below are links to issues I have discussed on my blog, which tie directly into lectures and, not coincidentally, are important for answering the questions that will be asked. The focus of the mid-term exam is on the historical transformation of the state from Feudalism through our Mercantilist period and, now, towards the modern Liberal state. What's below are links to ancillary "cliffs" notes for my class.  

Of course, for those who are just interested in knowing about the transformation of the state, and markets, you can begin by reading the links below.

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EXAM-BLOG NOTES FOR PS 4604

The Moral Justification of Capitalism is on the Ropes ... Here's Why. This is a review of the transformation from feudalism and mercantilism towards the modern liberal state. These are the roots of the liberal perspective. 

From War to Mercantilism & Market Capitalism: The historical role the Renaissance, Reformation, and the Enlightenment had in paving the intellectual path for Market Capitalism to arrive. It's here we begin to learn how war made the state, and the state made war.

Waves of Imperialism ... War and Markets: Why Great Wealth is not a product of individual initiative alone. Here we learn about the three waves of imperialism, which were driven by successive but distinct eras of mercantilism after 1648, 1815, and 1919.

Waves of Imperialism, II ... It's not free markets. The state creates the conditions under which wealth is created (with an all too brief discussion-mention of John M. Keynes and Friedrich List).

The Dark Side of Our Free Market Myths ... There's a very simple reason why the state has had to step in and work to make sure "the laws of justice" actually exist. Rules and regulations are the product of a long history of stifling feudal customs, traditions, entrenched privileges, slavery, sexism, racism (the Black Codes), and outright fraud (among others) undermining the moral justification of capitalism.

- Mark