Final answer:
Walker suggests examining the transition from medieval to the modern state to understand the transformation of statehood, considering the impacts of colonial boundaries on nation-state viability and the often-overlooked history of stateless societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transition from the medieval to the modern state is examined to understand the transformation of statehood (Option C). As European nations drew borders across different parts of the world during the colonial era, they often disregarded the established historical identities of the indigenous populations. This action has had lasting effects and now raises questions about the viability of the nation-state concept in the modern international system. The creation of modern nation-states was a slow evolution from medieval kingdoms, influenced by technological advancements such as the printing press and by numerous wars, treaties, and politics that had little immediate effect on common folks but changed the course of history.
Furthermore, it's important to recognize that not all human societies have been organized into states. For a great portion of human history, people lived in stateless societies, moving as nomadic hunters and gatherers, which presents a challenge in historical recording since these societies left few permanent structures. A complete understanding of international systems requires acknowledgment of these non-state societies and the significant changes that occurred when states began to establish effective control over territory with developments like railways.
The interplay between continuity and change is also a key theme in the study of the decline of state power and growth of new systems. Insights from scholars like Clifford Ando highlight the need to balance our understanding of the loss of ancient institutions with the emergence of new structures and ideologies during the transitional periods.