Book Review: Wolfgang Reinhard, Geschichte Des Modernen Staates-Von den Anfiingen his zur Gegenwart, Runik Publishing, 2025

Abstract

The book named “Geschichte Des Modernen Staates-Von den Anfiingen his zur Gegenwart” of Wolfgang Reinhard was published in Germany in 2007 and was translated into Turkish in 2025. The fundamental claim of the author and the main theme of the book is that Europe invented/discovered the state. In this work, the author comprehensively, consistently, concisely, and fluently explores the history of the modern state from its inception to the present day, employing a distinctive language. Readers explore the historical origins, structure, rise process, transformation, and decline of the state through an interdisciplinary approach. The author explains from a historical perspective that: i. the modern state emerged from specific historical and cultural conditions in Europe; ii. it transformed and grew in Europe through the interaction of the war-finance-bureaucracy cycle, legalization, symbolic practices, and political culture processes; iii. in this process, it subjugated political rivals such as the nobility and the churches; iv. a polarized society emerged through the erosion of legitimacy and sovereignty; and v. the state entered a period of decline with the erosion of sovereignty. The work is considered a fundamental introductory work for researchers and those interested in state theories and will inspire new studies.

Keywords: Wolfgang Reinhard, modern state, rise and decline of the modern state, international human rights law.