Theories of the State

Andrew Vincent is Professor of Political Theory at Sheffield University and Director of the Sheffield Centre for Political Theory and Ideologies. He has authored several volumes on political theory, including Theories of the State (Wiley-Blackwell, 1987), Nationalism and Particularity (2002) and The Nature of Political Theory (2004).

"The best and most provocative essays by anthropologists on politics, power, colonialism, nationalism, and globalization. This volume showcases the strengths of anthropological analysis: bringing detailed ethnographic and historical analysis to the understanding of the most pressing issues that contemporary societies face." Louise Lamphere, University of New Mexico"Joan Vincent has a rare grasp of anthopology´s past and vision of its future. The 21st-century renewal of political anthropology will be excellently served by her thoughtful assemblage of foundational texts, modern classics, recent achievements and current controversies." Ulf Hannerz, Stockholm University "In this incomparable volume, Joan Vincent has brilliantly compiled the key texts in the anthropological study of politics. Suitable as a textbook for the beginning student and as a reference work for the professional academic, it will appeal to scholars in many different disciplines. Not only does this volume provide readers with a genealogy of an anthropological approach to politics, it introduces or reacquaints them with some of its most important contemporary contributors." Akhil Gupta, Stanford University

• The Nature of The State 1. IntroductionIs politics about the State? States, the State and the idea of the State Stateless societies and the State tradition Antecedents to the State Etymology of the State2. Formal Features of the Modern European State The State and other CollectivitiesSociety and the State Community and the State Nation and State Government, Administration and the State3. Cognate concepts of the StateSovereignty Authority, Obligation and Legitimacy4. Theory and the StateEssential Contestability and the State Human Nature and the State