Introduction

Seeing Like a State demonstrates the existing problems that countries face. James Scott’s book details how issues like measuring and weights evolve yet their underlying issue persists. Notably, some of these challenges have spilled into modern society. Even so, the text also demonstrates advancements that resulted in past failures and made society more prosperous. The historical analysis indicates that the past shapes existing decisions, which are an improvement of past activities or face the same challenges, and also illustrates the incorporation of research in strategy formulation.

An analysis of taxation practices used in the past reveals the challenges that governments face. Even in the current society, there is no perfect technique for governments to collect revenue, an issue that began even before modernization. A contingency analysis of history yields that progress in the present taxation system owes its origin to inefficiencies in land benefits. At first, land ownership, and particularly forestry was useful to governments, because taxes were levied on logging activities[1]. Notably, the government had little information on logging activities, which made it difficult to ascertain sustainable timber practices. Additionally, people were not paying levies on their land, and the government could not determine how much revenue land could bring. Owing to the shortcomings of relying on land, governments explored other avenues for taxes. In France, items like tobacco and salt were required little knowledge to handle and were easier to administer compared to land. Correspondingly, punishment for failure to pay tax is also an ancient activity. Defaulters were subjected to billeting of proof, which is equal to present incarceration for failing to pay tax. However, there was no source of information that could be used to measure people’s ability to pay existing taxes. Inefficiencies in tax systems led to governments finding more effective strategies to collect tax, which are notable even to date.

Correspondingly, disagreements over weights and measures persist to date. Presently, there are varying weights and measures, especially in trade. That a person or a nation may have to sell a higher quantity of a commodity to get its desired equivalent is a persisting challenge. There is a pattern of disagreement over appropriate amounts when it comes to trade. Early measurements were in human scale.[2] Forthwith, they differed and caused misinterpretations. Interestingly, most commensurate were associated with meal preparation periods, being within earshot, or even a basketful. The shortcomings prompted the creation of feudal rents and dues. The system also had failures because the local lord could lend the poor grains in a smaller basket but demand a bigger basket in payment[3]. In some instances, they even used bigger sacks for milling than they did for. The creation of the bushel system did not make matters any better because there were disputes over manipulation of the baskets, which could be adjusted through wear, bulging tricks, rim thickness, and moisture. The disagreements over weights and measures, which was primarily driven by greed, resulted in unfair trade practices.

The need to attain a utopian state, associated with modernization, drives countries to exploit resources. Even currently, it is believed that resources like raw materials have a significant influence on economic prosperity. Industrialization is considered the starting point of modern civilization. From a contingency perspective, it was though industrialization in western countries, there would not be a widespread explosion of industries[4]. Industrial growth is what brought scientific and technological progress, which persisted even after World War 1. After the war intensified, countries were more eager to access resources, to be more advanced than their rivals. The present economic order in which western countries depicts linear progress as people effectively took advantage of natural resources to increase production and the quality of their living standards. However, prosperity comes at a price. Leaders turn to absolute rule to suppress any activities that would threaten the existing order. Comparatively, overexploitation of resources, even at the expense of erosion of cultural and social norms is done. The policies made reevaluate the character of human beings and eliminate aspects that the government perceives can be changed. Modernization, a product of industrialization was the predecessor of modern growth although it has devastating effects.

In many instances, decisions affecting citizens without their input resulting in public dissatisfaction. Government officials make choices without consulting people, yet they have very little knowledge in the given areas as illustrated by the forest story.[5] Driven by uniformity and economic success, policies are made to create changes that have long-lasting impacts on the citizens, yet their views are not considered. Given that there was very scanty research into the effects of specific measures, it is likely that most of the choices were not accurate. The same pattern is notable even after modernization as rules become more authoritarian. Leaders, unwilling to compromise or relinquish some of their powers used harsh methods like colonialism to promote prosperity. Little consideration for human liberty or rational resource exploitation became non-existent in favor of economic prosperity.  Prosperity policies, at the expense of citizens, is still an issue that policy makers contribute towards.

Science and expertise in various fields guide decision-making and highlighted the importance of data. During the enlightenment period, scientific research guided the growth of social engineering.[6] The knowledge spread and professions like architecture, scientists, and high-level administration were born. From a contingency point of view, these professionals availed information in their various fields which proved useful in modern society. For instance, making strategic plans. Countries devised short-term plans, which they regularly adjusted or abandoned entirely based on existing knowledge. In essence, nations moved from making blind choices to considering existing knowledge to predict future occurrences. A common practice to date, relying on expert research was useful to countries in formulating plans.

Conclusion

The historical analysis demonstrates that the past shapes existing decisions, which are an improvement of past activities or face the same challenges, and also illustrates the incorporation of research in strategy formulation. Taxation and weights and measures are issues that persist to date. Despite improvements, there is still no suitable answer. Equally, governments still disregard the activities of its citizens, a common trend that persists in the modern world. Since the introduction of research and expert analysis, governments make evidence-based decisions. Present actions mirror past activities.

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Bibliography

Scott, James. Seeing Like a State. London: Yale University Press, 1998.

[1] James Scott. Seeing Like a State. (London: Yale University Press, 1998), 23

[2] Ibid, 25.

[3] Ibid, 28.

[4] Ibid, 89.

[5] Ibid, 30.

[6] Ibid, 91