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Theories of the State - POL00083I

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module examines the state from a theoretical and historical perspective. You will learn how to apply different theories and concepts around the state to contemporary problems about the state, statehood, and political authority.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module examines the state from a theoretical and historical perspective. The first segment of the module introduces students to theoretical and historical scholarship on the state. The subsequent two segments will explore domestic and global problems( and dilemmas) concerning the state. The final part of the module will introduce students to perspectives on governance and political imaginaries beyond the state. Students will learn how to integrate theoretical, historical, and empirical work in making arguments about concrete issues around the state and its authority.

Module learning outcomes

On completing the module a student will be able to:

Demonstrate detailed knowledge of key debates and concepts around theories of the state (PLO1)

With minimal guidance apply diverse theoretical perspectives to concrete questions around statehood, state power, and the limits of state authority. (PLO2)

With minimal guidance apply theoretical perspectives to identify solutions to domestic and global problems related to the state (PLO4)

Communicate detailed academic and theoretical debates in a coherent and clear way in written communication (PLO5)

Demonstrate awareness of different global and cultural contexts in relation to theories of the state (PLO6)

Module content

After surveying theoretical and historical perspectives on the state, the module will turn to more applied problems. These will concern ‘problems within’ (the problem of oligarchy, the problem of state secrecy, and the problem of state authority) and ‘the state in global perspective’ (the problem of borders and the problem of justice in global trade). The final segment of the module will explore political imaginaries beyond the state (corporations and supranational institutions). All sections, but particularly in its historical and global dimensions, will critically assess the colonial and other hierarchical aspects of intellectual state-formation, as well as their context.

Module structure:

A. The state is them: why bother voting when so few rule? (Udit)

  1. Why do the rich always win? (historical/conceptual)

  2. Why should minorities keep voting? (political science/normative theory)

B. State and democracy: are they frenemies?

  1. Is the state a vehicle of democracy or a weapon against it? (historical/postcolonial) (Udit)

  2. Reforming the democratic state: What we should do with the House of Lords? (political science/applied and comparative) (Adam)

C. Can a private state rule legitimately? (Udit)

  1. State Inc: What’s wrong with privatisation? (critical theory)

  2. Is the workplace a dictatorship (and what should the state do about it)? [normative/conceptual]

D. Who’s the state for? Who’s the state by? (Monica)

7. Is the state an all boys club? Reproductive policy and the state [critical feminist theory]

8. What’s it like to be the state? [ethnographic political theory]

E. Does the state need borders? (Adam)

  1. Do states need to be nation-states? (historical/conceptual)

  2. Do states have a right to exclude? (normative/critical)—> seminar on research design

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Vincent, Andrew (1987) Theories of the State (Oxford: Blackwell).

Getachew, Adom (2019). Worldmaking after Empire (Princeton: Princeton University Press).

Winters, Jeffrey (2011). Oligarchy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.