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State Theory Specialist Group

Rationale / objectives:

The state theory specialist group was established in 2003 to:

• Maintain a network to facilitate communication and collaboration between individuals researching and teaching state theory, within the UK and overseas
• Provide a forum, via the PSA annual conference and regular meetings of the group, for the presentation and discussion of research
• Develop and promote state theory as an area of teaching and research

For the purposes of this group state theory is defined broadly. It embraces theoretical and empirical work that seeks to enhance our understanding of the nature and development of, and prospects for, the state. The focus of the group is not confined to the contemporary or capitalist type of state, but embraces other historical and socio-economic contexts. The group welcomes work on the state from any theoretical perspective.

Activities

The group has organized regular state theory panels at PSA Annual conferences, and this will continue to be a central focus of its activity.

Class, Power and the State in Capitalist Society: Essays on Ralph Miliband (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2008) incorporates papers presented at State Theory panels at the PSA and the How Class Works conference at the State University of New York (SUNY). It is edited by Paul Wetherly, Clyde Barrow (Massachusetts) and Peter Burnham.

A one-day conference focused on Ralph Miliband’s The State in Capitalist Society is planned for 22 May 2009 at Leeds Metropolitan University, in conjunction with the Marxism Specialist Group. For details contact Paul Wetherly.

It is intended that the Group will organize further one-day conferences.

Membership

Membership is open to all academics and post-graduate research students in the UK and overseas whose interests encompass state theory as defined broadly here.

If you are interested in participating in the state theory specialist group contact Paul Wetherly or Peter Burnham. Please include brief details of your principal research interests in the field of state theory (eg in the form of key words and short description). Your name will be added to the email contact list and you will be kept informed of the group’s developing activities

Convenors:

Dr Paul Wetherly,
Reader in Politics,
School of Social Sciences,
Leeds Metropolitan University,
Leeds
LS1 3HE

p.wetherly@leedsmet.ac.uk
0113 8123314

Dr Peter Burnham,
Professor of Politics and IR
Department of Politics and International Studies,
University of Warwick,
Coventry
CV4 7AL

p.r.burnham@warwick.ac.uk
024 7652 3084