... the major developments which distinguish modern industrial societies from their predecessors. He is talking about a shift from preindustrialized society where the main concern of the ruler was with his personal authority or sovereignty to modern industrial societies where the government is concerned with authority, for sure, but also with the management of society by means of social and economic policy. The distinction can be illustrated by two scenarios: Imagine a small village in, say, sixteenth century Europe. It is market day and peasants and trades people are bringing their wares for sale, setting up stalls etc. Suddenly the king appears with his entourage, en route for somewhere. His knight rides ahead of his carriage and push villages out of the way. 'Make way for the King!' they cry, 'Bow as his Majesty passes' they shout, knocking over stalls and sacks of produce as they career through the village. The ...

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