Final answer:
V. Gordon Childe developed the Neolithic Revolution theory in 1936, which posits that the development of agriculture led to the formation of the first states as a result of economic decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory of state formation developed by the British archaeologist V. Gordon Childe in 1936 is known as the Neolithic Revolution or the Agricultural Revolution. Childe posited that the development of agriculture led to the creation of the first states as people began to make rational economic decisions based on the production and distribution of surplus resources, inevitably leading to more complex societal structures. This transition is a cornerstone in understanding the evolution from stateless societies of hunters and gatherers to organized states with political authority and social hierarchies.