The Familial State: Ruling Families and Merchant Capitalism in Early Modern Europe (The Wilder House Series in Politics, History and Culture)

"The seventeenth century was called the Dutch Golden Age. Over the course of eighty years, the tiny United Provinces of the Netherlands overthrew Spanish rule and became Europe's dominant power. Eventually, though, Dutch hegemony collapsed as quickly as it had risen. In The Familial State, Julia Adams explores the role that Holland's great families played in this dramatic history. She charts how family patriarchs - who were at the time both state-builders and merchant capitalists - shaped the first great wave of European colonialism, which in turn influenced European political development in innovative ways."."On the basis of massive archival work, Adams arrives at a profoundly gendered reading of the family/power structure of the Dutch elite and their companies, in particular the VOC, or Dutch East India Company. In the United Provinces, she finds the first example of the power structure that would dominate the transitional states of early modern Europe - the "familial state." This organizational structure is typified, in her view, by "paternal political rule and multiple arrangements among the family heads.""--BOOK JACKET. Read more... Introduction: the Netherlands as point of departure -- The patrimonial nexus and theories of state formation -- State-making, hegemony, and corporate conflict in the Dutch golden age -- The familial state and the rise of the Netherlands -- Patrimonial problems, familial states, and chartered companies in seventeenth-century Europe -- The decline of the Netherlands: "bourgeois betrayal" or patriarchal loyalty? -- France, England, and the enigmatic eighteenth century. The Seventeenth Century Was Called The Dutch Golden Age. Over The Course Of Eighty Years, The Tiny United Provinces Of The Netherlands Overthrew Spanish Rule And Became Europe's Dominant Power. Eventually, Though, Dutch Hegemony Collapsed As Quickly As It Had Risen. In The Familial State, Julia Adams Explores The Role That Holland's Great Families Played In This Dramatic History. She Charts How Family Patriarchs - Who Were At The Time Both State-builders And Merchant Capitalists - Shaped The First Great Wave Of European Colonialism, Which In Turn Influenced European Political Development In Innovative Ways. On The Basis Of Massive Archival Work, Adams Arrives At A Profoundly Gendered Reading Of The Family/power Structure Of The Dutch Elite And Their Companies, In Particular The Voc, Or Dutch East India Company. In The United Provinces, She Finds The First Example Of The Power Structure That Would Dominate The Transitional States Of Early Modern Europe - The Familial State. This Organizational Structure Is Typified, In Her View, By Paternal Political Rule And Multiple Arrangements Among The Family Heads.--jacket. Introduction. The Netherlands As Point Of Departure -- The Patrimonial Nexus And Theories Of State Formation -- State Making, Hegemony, And Corporate Conflict In The Dutch Golden Age -- The Familial State And The Rise Of The Netherlands -- Patrimonial Problems, Familial States, And Chartered Companies In Seventeenth-century Europe -- Dutch Decline : The Loyalty Of The Patriarch Or The Betrayal Of The Bourgeoisie? -- France, England, And The Enigmatic Eighteenth Century -- Conclusion. Julia Adams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 203-229) And Index.

The seventeenth century was called the Dutch 'Golden Age.' Over the course of eighty years, the tiny United Provinces of the Netherlands overthrew Spanish rule and became Europe's dominant power. Eventually, though, Dutch hegemony would collapse as quickly as it had risen. In The Familial State, Julia Adams explores the role that Holland's great families played in this dramatic history. She charts how family patriarchs—who were at the time both state-builders and merchant capitalists—shaped the first great wave of European colonialism, which in turn influenced European political development in innovative ways.

On the basis of massive archival work, Adams arrives at a profoundly gendered reading of the family/power structure of the Dutch elite and their companies, in particular the VOC or Dutch East India Company. In the United Provinces, she finds the first example of the power structure that would dominate the transitional states of early modern Europe—the 'familial state.' This organizational structure is typified, in her view, by 'paternal political rule and multiple arrangements among the family heads.'

Cover 1 Copyright 3 Title 4 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction: The Netherlands as Point of Departure 14 1. The Patrimonial Nexus and Theories of State Formation 26 2. State Making, Hegemony, and Corporate Conflict in the Dutch Golden Age 51 3. The Familial State and the Rise of the Netherlands 87 4. Patrimonial Problems, Familial States, and Chartered Companies in Seventeenth-Century Europe 119 5. Dutch Decline: The Loyalty of the Patriarch or the "Betrayal of the Bourgeoisie"? 150 6. France, England, and the Enigmatic Eighteenth Century 177 Conclusion 209 References 216 Index 244 The 17th century was called the Dutch 'Golden Age'. Over the course of 80 years, the tiny United Provinces of the Netherlands overthrew Spanish rule and became Europe's dominant power. In this book, Julia Adams explores the role that Holland's great families played in this dramatic history