The State, Democracy and Globalization

The state has long been the key institution of political life but in recent years it has become the focus of increasingly heated controversy. While some have announced its impending demise in an age of globalization and supranational governance, others have proclaimed its ultimate triumph -- at least in its dominant liberal democratic form -- in the post cold war world. Despite the extensive debate there have been surprisingly few attempts to provide an integrated account of the state in the contemporary world. Roger King and Gavin Kendall's new text is designed to fill the gap and provide an accessible but informed introduction to the modern state. The authors look at the historical origins of the modern state, its changing relationship with the economy and democracy, and the theories that seek to explain its development and character.

Roger King is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Gavin Kendall is an Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, Australia.