The State: Theories and Issues

by Colin Hay (Editor), Michael Lister (Editor), David Marsh (Editor)

Written by a team of experts, this text introduces all of the main competing theoretical approaches to the study of the state, including pluralism, Marxism, institutionalism, feminism, green theory and more. A brand new 'issues' section enables readers to apply these key concepts and theoretical approaches to important developments in the state today.

This new edition

- Coverage of all key empirical and theoretical developments in the field, with analysis of the impact of globalisation, global financial upheavals, Brexit, Covid-19 and social movements such as Black Lives Matter
- A wide range of voices, perspectives, contemporary and historical examples, giving readers a holistic overview of the field, as well as deeper dives into key issues
- Brand new chapters on sovereignty, security, territory, capital, nationalism and populism
- Guided further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter

Providing both a firm grounding in the key concepts and critical engagement with contemporary controversies and debates, this text is ideal for those studying all aspects of the state.

Genres: Politics

424 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2005

Reviews

[Michael Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the major references I used for my graduate course of Theories of the State. Easy-to-read and full of explanation on the classical theories of the state and contemporary issues and trends on the development and meaning of the institution that is the state.

[unperspicacious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it sets out to do, and does it well. However, its bias towards analyzing European polities is telling. This tendency is becoming increasingly anachronistic as economic power continues shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific region. Presumably the nature of statehood in this region will become more important for the future of practical politics, and this will also be reflected in the choice of readings that politics departments set for university students. Perhaps even more so if the European Union project fails to make any further progress in its aims...