Journal of Historical Political Economy > Vol 4 > Issue 1

Why Was Central Europe Characterized by Political Fragmentation?

Jonathan S. Doucette, Department of Politics and Society, Aalborg University, Denmark, jostdo@dps.aau.dk
 
Suggested Citation
Jonathan S. Doucette (2024), "Why Was Central Europe Characterized by Political Fragmentation?", Journal of Historical Political Economy: Vol. 4: No. 1, pp 89-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/115.00000065

Publication Date: 21 May 2024
© 2024 J. S. Doucette
 
Subjects
Comparative politics,  Political history,  Urban politics
 
Keywords
Successionstate-formationself-governmentEurope
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
Historical Background 
Analyses 
Conclusion 
References 

Abstract

Political fragmentation and resulting continuous warfare were important parts of European history, and it has been linked to innovation, economic growth, regime change, and state formation. Scholars have long debated the importance of the decade-long interregnum in the Roman Empire of the German Nation for this development. This article documents that the death of Emperor Frederick II in 1250 and the ensuing demise of the Hohenstaufen dynasty marked a divergence in central European history. Prior to 1250, the level of political fragmentation was similar in the Empire and other European states; after 1250, imperial areas saw a marked increase in local political autonomy compared to other areas. This difference in political fragmentation persisted until the modern period.

DOI:10.1561/115.00000065

Online Appendix | 115.00000065_app.pdf

This is the article's accompanying appendix.

DOI: 10.1561/115.00000065_app