State Theory

This volume develops a novel approach to state theory. It offers a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the state and sets a new agenda for state research. Four central themes define the scope of the book: an account of the bases of the operational autonomy of the state; the need to develop state theory as part of a more general social theory; the possibilities of explaining 'capitalist societalization' without assuming that the economy is the ultimate determinant of societal dynamics; and a defence of the method of articulation in theory construction. In developing these issues, Bob Jessop both builds on and goes well beyond the view presented in his earlier books, The Capitalist State (1982) and Nicos Poulantzas (1985). The result is a highly original statement which will become a center-point of discussion. The volume confirms the author's standing as one of the most important post-War Marxist state theorists.

This volume develops a novel approach to state theory. It offers acomprehensive review of the existing literature on the state andsets a new agenda for state research.Four central themes define the scope of the book: an account ofthe bases of the operational autonomy of the state; the need todevelop state theory as part of a more general social theory; thepossibilities of explaining 'capitalist societalization' withoutassuming that the economy is the ultimate determinant of societaldynamics; and a defence of the method of articulation in theoryconstruction.In developing these issues, Bob Jessop both builds on and goeswell beyond the view presented in his earlier books, TheCapitalist State (1982) and Nicos Poulantzas (1985). Theresult is a highly original statement which will become acenter-point of discussion. The volume confirms the author'sstanding as one of the most important post-War Marxist statetheorists.

Preface and Acknowledgements.General Introduction.Part I. On Marxist Theories of Law, the State, and theirRelative Autonomy from the Capitalist Economy and ClassStruggles:.1. Recent Theories of the Capitalist State.2. Recent Theories of Law, the State, and Juridico-PoliticalIdeology.3. Marxism, Economic Determinism, and Relative Autonomy.Part II. Political Representation, Social Bases, and StateForms: Corporatism, Parliamentarism, and the NationalInterest:.4. Corporatism, Parliamentarism, and Social Democracy.5. Capitalist States, Capitalist Interests, and the Rule ofCapital.6. The Democratic State and the National Interest.Part III. The Value Form, The Capitalist State, and HegemonicProjects: From State Forms and Functions to the State asStrategy:.7. Accumulation Strategies, State Forms, and HegemonicProjects.8. Poulantzas and Foucault on Power and Strategy.9. The State as Strategy.Part IV. Putting States in their Place: Towards aStrategic-Relational Theory of Societalization:.10. Anti-Marxist Reinstatement and Post-MarxistDeconstruction.11. Societalization, Regulation, and Self-Reference.12. Putting States in their Place.Selected Writings of Bob Jessop.General Bibliography.Index.