Henri J.M. Claessen; Constructing the early state; The rise of a research programme

Claessen arrived at a time when the institute was in a transitional period: the democratization process of the late sixties and early seventies was affording junior members of staff some leeway to develop their own interests. [...]propelled by an upsurge in student numbers, the institute was rapidly increasing in size, and several new staff members were appointed in a relatively short period. According to Claessen himself, he borrowed the concept from Van Parijs 1981, a book which he reviewed in 1983. Here the Early State Project has already provided us with a wealth of data and insights which need to be elaborated. [...]it is likely that in certain societies 'the Early State' is not a transitional stage in the development towards a 'Full State', but has to be placed in a completely different trajectory. [...]edition.], 1975, Origins of the state and civilization; The process of cultural evolution.