Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Recent concern with the process of modernization has heightened interest in the origins of bureaucracy in societies which have succeeded in modernizing. Relatively little attention, however, has been directed to territorial governing elites as an element of bureaucratic development. In what sense did governors in premodern societies resemble modern bureaucratic officials? Did the resemblances increase as the societies approached the modern period; or (as Marion J. Levy suggests) did the bureaucratic elements tend to degrade in the particularistic environment?
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
John A. Armstrong (1972) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: