IRIs - JSOT-state_formation 08_01_2012_revised.pdf (326.23 kB)
State Formation in the Hebrew Bible: An Institutional Economic Perspective
journal contribution
posted on 2013-07-01, 11:29 authored by Sigmund Wagner-TsukamotoThis article analyzes the changing approach to state formation in the stories of Joshua, Saul, David and Solomon. These stories are here scrutinized for features of emerging constitutional and institutional economic governance. This article inquires as to why initially a rather federalist structure under Joshua emerged, one that subsequently was replaced by more formally coordinated, hierarchical governance structures. It focuses on attack/defense costs and transaction costs that explain the emergence of state structures and their evolution over time. In addition, institutional economic concepts of political governance (that overcome anarchy and organize wealth creation in society) are projected to state formation in the Hebrew Bible. In this way, this article traces the early, yet pseudo-modern, economic history of a theory of state formation.
History
Citation
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2013, 37 (4), pp. 391-422Author affiliation
/Organisation/COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE/School of ManagementVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)