The Autonomous Power of the State: Its Origins, Mechanisms, and Results
Step one: Read the paper at: https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/mann/Doc1.pdf
1. What was the ancient state? With reference to Egypt, Israel and Greece, discuss whether there was such a thing as the state, and whether (or how) it varied across the three.
2. In Mann’s terms, what sort of power did ancient leaders have? Discuss this in reference to Greece and at least one of Egypt and Israel.
3. Use Mann’s article to examine how Athens and Sparta became so successful. What were the strengths of each? Was the outcome of their rivalry inevitable?
https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/mann/Doc1.pdf