Final answer:
The most crucial primary variable for the formation of a state is food production, which allowed for population growth, labor specialization, and urbanization, leading to the development of complex social structures and early cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most important primary variable in the origin of the state is food production. Early civilizations emerged where people could produce a surplus of food, leading to population growth and the need for social structures to manage this growth. This surplus of food allowed for specialization of labor, with individuals performing specific tasks such as farming, craftsmanship, and religious roles. Exchange systems were developed to facilitate the distribution of goods and services between farmers and non-farmers, a critical step in the development of complex societies.
Agriculture enabled early humans to settle and form the first urban centers. As food production became more efficient, larger populations could be supported, leading to increased urbanization and the complexity of social organization. Iron technology further boosted food production, allowing for a growing population and more soldiers to participate in warfare, which also influenced the development of states.
According to sociologist Gideon Sjoberg, the prerequisites for the development of a city, and consequently a state, include a favorable environment, advanced technology leading to a food surplus, and strong social organization. These factors have been integral since the earliest cities in ancient Mesopotamia and continue to influence urban growth today.