State Formations: Global Histories and Cultures of Statehood [Paperback]

Uses modernist and postmodernist theoretical perspectives to examine the formation and reformation of states throughout history and around the globe.This anthology examines the global history of states, drawing upon both modernist and postmodernist theory. As an overview of approaches to the study of states, this collection is valuable to both scholars and students interested in states from a historical, political, or cultural standpoint.This anthology examines the global history of states, drawing upon both modernist and postmodernist theory. As an overview of approaches to the study of states, this collection is valuable to both scholars and students interested in states from a historical, political, or cultural standpoint.Featuring a sweeping array of essays from scholars of state formation and development, this book presents an overview of approaches to studying the history of the state. Focusing on the question of state formation, this volume takes a particular look at the beginnings, structures, and constant reforming of state power. Not only do the contributors draw upon both modernist and postmodernist theoretical perspectives, they also address the topic from a global standpoint, examining states from all areas of the world. In their diverse and thorough exploration of state building, the authors cross the theoretical, geographic, and chronological boundaries that traditionally shape this field in order to rethink the customary macro and micro approaches to the study of state building and make the case for global histories of both pre-modern and modern state formations.Introduction: approaches to state formations John L. Brooke and Julia C. Strauss; Part I. Definitions: 1. On the person of the state Quentin Skinner; 2. The state as a social relation Bob Jessop; 3. Was there any such thing as a non-modern state? Greg Anderson; Part II. Foundings: 4. Comparative perspectives and early states revisited Rita P. Wright; 5. (Re) introducing the state on the medielC-