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.
* Exam copies only available to lecturers for whom the book may be suitable as a course text.
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General Introduction.
Part I. On Marxist Theories of Law, the State, and their Relative Autonomy from the Capitalist Economy and Class Struggles.
Part II. Political Representation, Social Bases, and State Forms: Corporatism, Parliamentarism, and the National Interest.
Part III. The Value Form, The Capitalist State, and Hegemonic Projects: From State Forms and Functions to the State as Strategy.
Part IV. Putting States in their Place: Towards a Strategic-Relational Theory of Societalization. Selected Writings of Bob Jessop.
General Bibliography.
Index.
