Theories of the Democratic State

The major text begins by surveying the classical theories of the state. The core chapters then address the dominant pluralist and post-pluralist approaches to understanding the modern liberal democratic state, the main critiques from feminism, new elitism, green theory, neo-conservatism, and the challenges of globalization and postmodernism.

JOHN S. DRYZEK is Professor of Social and Political Theory in the Political Science Program, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University.
 
PATRICK DUNLEAVY is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Chair at the London School of Economics and Politics Science, UK.

Introduction: The State and Liberal Democratic Politics
PART I: CLASSICAL VIEWS
Pluralism
Elite Theory 
Marxism
Market Liberalism
PART II: PLURALIST TRANSFORMATIONS
From Neo-Pluralism to Governance
Competitive Electoral Politics
Identity Politics
PART III: CRITIQUES OF THE STATE
Democratic Critique and Renewal
Feminist Theory of the State
Environmental Theory of the State
The Conservative Reaction
PART IV: BEYOND THE STATE
Post-Modernism
Globalization
Current and Future Debates About the State