Actually, while I take his point, I think Mr. Nock didn't look back far enough. I'd be willing to bet that the first "state" existed in early human history when tribes, or more likely clans, banded together for self-defense against predators (both 2 and 4-legged), and I doubt those early "states" wee founded in anything but a "social contract" for the common good. This is not to say we haven't strayed very far from that concept in modern times. I just think the historical accuracy of Mr. Nock's ;statement is shaky.