Rama V (1868-1910) inherited his father's diplomatic skills and encouraged the beginnings of a modern state, with good communications and an education system that eventually led to the revolt of the middle classes.

ECONOMIST: Kriangsak Chomanan

Three centuries ago, when Peter the Great was trying to turn feudal, agrarian Russia into a modern state, he encountered a major source of friction inside the system.

NEWYORKER: Net Impact

William Beveridge - father of the modern welfare state - was a Liberal politician, after all, and there are elements in our system today historians agree he would not recognise.

BBC: Budget 'sacred cows�� under threat in welfare row

This applies to all such state provision for old age and has done so from the day that Bismark brought in the first such modern system.

FORBES: In Which We Look Forward To The Brad Delong v. Paul Krugman Cage Fight