For centuries the state has been the central element in the work of political scientists and philosophers. It is the focal point of many debates in sociology and economics. "States and Societies" provides a comprehensive selection of the amajor writings in the field. States and Societies addresses itself to fundamental questions. Is the state an independent entity above conflicts in society? Or is it enmeshed in those conflicts? Can we differentiate between types of state? Does the state diminish or increase freedom when it intervenes in our lives? In seven separate sections the editors examine classic conceptions of the state, the formation of modern states, the significance of citzenship, the roles of economy and capital, the interaction of power and legitimacy, states in relation to the world economy, and - finally - the future of the state. Extracts from the work of Machiavelli, Rousseau, Hobbes and other major theorists introduce the history of the state; essential contemporary articles by Anderson, Poulantzas, E.P. Thompson, Nozick and others focus on the nature and development of the state. Introdductions and analyses by the editors themselves provide a continuous critical narrative, linking separate themes. The whole is prefaced by David Held's substantial introductory essay, which provides a far-reaching analysis of the concept of the modern state.