Every aspect of our lives is shaped by the state. What exactly is it, the modern state? How has it come to be? From where does it derive its legitimacy? How has its involvement in social and economic life evolved over time, and varied cross-nationally? In what ways is American statecraft is considered "exceptional"? In this class we will seek answers to these questions, and on the way, we will learn about welfare states, penal states, racial states, straight states, submerged states, authoritarian states, strong and weak states. |