Lecture 8 - The State

Question 1

Regurgitate Giddens 1989 definition of the State

Answer 1

A state exists where there is a political apparatus ruling over a given territory, where authority is backed by a legal system and has a capacity to use force to implement its policies.

Question 2

Using Fox’s 3 frames of reference, describe the role of the State

Answer 2

1. Unitarian Public interest theory - defender of the national interest
2. Pluralists reconcile competing interests and balance bargaining power
3. Marxism sees the State as an ally of capitalism