The Making of the Modern State A Theoretical Evolution

by Nelson, Brian

• ISBN13: 9781403971906
• ISBN10: 1403971900
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-16
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Nelson provides a historical overview of the theoretical and ideological evolution of the modern state, from pre-state and pre-modern state formations to the present. Major themes and key thinkers are treated in some depth and specificity. At the same time, structural changes, both socio-economic and political, underlying shifts in state consciousness are emphasized. The link between state ideologies of legitimation and forms of political consciousness is stressed, including those theoretical forms of consciousness characteristic of modern social and political science. A major theme of the book is the need to understand the modern state holistically, as a totality of social, political, and ideological factors.

Author Biography

Brian Nelson is Associate Professor of Political Science at Florida International University.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
1 State and Ideology	1	(6)
2 State Formations	7	(10)
3 The Ideal State	17	(14)
4 The Christian Republic	31	(24)
5 The Making of Leviathan	55	(28)
6 The Metaphysical Theory of the State	83	(24)
7 The Sociology of the State	107	(18)
8 The State in Retrospect	125	(6)
Notes	131	(36)
Bibliography	167	(10)
Index	177