State Formation: Anthropological Perspectives

What is the 'state' and how can we best study it? This book investigates new ways of analysing the state.

The contributors argue that the state is not a fixed and definite object. Our perceptions of it are constantly changing, and differ from person to person. What is your idea of the state if you are a refugee? Or if you are living in post-aparteid South Africa? Our perceptions are formed and sustained by evolving discourses and techniques -- these come from institutions such as government...