Anthony de Yasai is one of the most original political philosophers in modern Europe. This book develops the theory of political dynamics of the state. Unlike most common political and philosophical concepts, de Yasai considers the state not as a passive tool serving the interests of society as a whole, class or social group, etc., but as an active actor pursuing its own interests. This interpretation is similar to the approach of economists to the study of a manufacturing company, but unlike the latter, the state seeks to maximize not profit, but the volume of power and use the latter to achieve its own ultimate goals, whatever they may be. The main tool of the state in this case is to win the support of certain groups of subjects by redistributing the wealth taken from others in their favor. According to the author, the internal logic of the development of the state over time inevitably leads to the fact that it acquires totalitarian features, and regardless of the subjective qualities and intentions of specific rulers.