Final answer:
The emergence of states is largely attributed to the hydraulic theory, which suggests that centralized power structures developed to manage water resources for agriculture, leading to increased political power and the ability to tax settled farmers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emergence of States and the Hydraulic Theory
The question of why states came about can be addressed through various theoretical approaches, one of which is the hydraulic theory. This theory posits that the establishment of states was closely linked to the need for large-scale coordination of water resources, especially in arid regions where irrigation was crucial for agriculture. As societies began to develop irrigation systems to support agriculture in river valleys such as those of the Euphrates, Tigris, and Nile, a centralized power structure emerged to manage the water distribution and the agricultural surplus. This control over vital resources led to an increase in political power, which enabled the development of the earliest states.
States also formed from the need for protection and organization, responding to pressures such as population growth, social stratification, militaristic threats from neighboring societies, and regional trade opportunities. As farmers settled and cultivated land, they became easier to tax, which further facilitated the formation and maintenance of states. Over time, the concept of the nation-state evolved, where political entities held sovereign power over a defined territory, containing multiethnic populations without necessarily seeking cultural uniformity.
In summary, the rise of states was a complex process influenced by both integrative and conflict pressures, which were managed through centralized governments. These governments evolved as they provided people with mutual protection and the establishment of sovereignty.