In his opening paragraphs, Nock states that the expansion of the State comes at the expense of social power, shrinking the role of community. "All the power it has is what society gives it, plus what it confiscates from time to time.
This reflects the influence of Franz Oppenheimer on Nock, a key proponent of the conquest theory of the state.
Denying that the two are the same, he points out the historic origin of authoritarian government through conquering warlords and robber barons.
In his opening paragraphs, Nock states that the expansion of the State comes at the expense of social power, shrinking the role of community