Marxism and the State

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Introduction: The Theory of History and the State

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 1-9

3. Marx, the State and Functional Explanation

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 10-26

4. The Instrumentalist Thesis — a Restatement

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 27-71

5. Structure and Agency in State Theory

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 72-108

6. Base and Superstructure

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 109-129

7. A Theory of the ‘Needs of Capital’

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 130-155

8. State Autonomy — A Conceptual Framework

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 156-173

9. Constraints on the State — Mechanisms of Economic Determination

   • Paul Wetherly

   Pages 174-195

10. Globalisation, History and the State

    • Paul Wetherly

    Pages 196-218

11. Back Matter

    Pages 219-247

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Paul Wetherly provides a restatement and defence of the classical Marxist theory of the state, developing an analytical approach that draws on G.A. Cohen's functional interpretation of Marx's theory of history. Instrumentalist and structuralist arguments are conceived as related causal mechanisms within the functional approach, and the principle of economic determination is shown to be consistent with the relative autonomy of the state as an institution with its own interests and capacities. This old-fashioned interpretation is defended against rival approaches within contemporary Marxism.

• globalization
• Institution
• Karl Marx

• Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

  Paul Wetherly

PAUL WETHERLY is a Principal Lecturer in Politics at Leeds Metropolitan University. He has written a number of articles and book chapters on Marxism, state theory and the Third Way. He was the editor of Marx's Theory of History: The Contemporary Debate (1992).

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