Explain how “War made the state, and the state made the war1. Writing on the process of state-building in early modern Europe, Charles Tilly famously argued that “War made the state, and the state made war.” Yet some scholars argue war and other forms of violent conflict can destroy fledgling states or otherwise undermine successful state-building. In your view, how useful is war for newly developing states? Should we promote war-making as a successful strategy for state-building today? In your response, be sure to reference specific readings/examples and to consider possible counterarguments.
