States of Theory and States of Asia: Regional Perspectives on States in Asia

Abstract

Asian states have long been perceived as being fundamentally different from those lying in the "developmental path" of European civilization-Mesopotamian, Mediterranean, and European complex societies. This perception has been manifest in such historical constructions as the Asiatic Mode of Production and Oriental Despotism and is continued in more recent popular treatments of Asian prehistory. In order to develop more appropriate and realistic views of all complex societies, this history must be addressed and the particular experiences of Asian states integrated into general archaeological models. The papers in this volume represent a small step in this direction. KEYWORDS: Asia, complex societies, states, colonialism, Oriental Despotism, Asiatic Mode of Production.