New Books Network Charles R. Butcher and Ryan D. Griffiths, "Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Sep 18, 2025
Charles R. Butcher, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, discusses his groundbreaking work on non-Western states in the nineteenth century. He critiques traditional state counts, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of sovereignty. The conversation explores centralization versus delegation in state systems, with intriguing case studies from East and Southeast Asia. Butcher also highlights the impact of colonialism on state extinction and the enduring legacies of pre-colonial institutions in today's political landscape.
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Measurement, Not Definition, Explains Missing States
- Butcher argues the concept of state need not change; measurement does.
- Replacing Eurocentric recognizers reveals many more 19th-century states worldwide.
Two Models Of Sovereignty Shape Systems
- Butcher contrasts 'billiard ball' states with 'bullseye' systems to capture different sovereignty shapes.
- In bullseye systems sovereignty fades with distance and is often graded and decentralized.
Centralization Means Direct Control Of Core Functions
- Centralization depends on who controls taxation, coercion, lawmaking, and diplomacy.
- Decentralized states delegate many core functions to vassals with their own institutions.
