The Future of the Capitalist State

In this important new book, Bob Jessop offers a radical newinterpretation of capitalist states and their likely futuredevelopment. He focuses on the changing forms, functions, scalesand effectiveness of economic and social policy that have emergedsince the 1950s in advanced western capitalist states.


The postwar Keynesian welfare national state that developed in mostadvanced capitalist societies has long been regarded as being incrisis. Mounting tensions have been generated by technologicalchange, globalization, and economic and political crises, and newsocial and political movements have also had a destabilizingimpact. Jessop examines these factors in relation to the rise, consolidation and crisis of Atlantic Fordism and asks whether a newtype of capitalist state that is currently emerging offers asolution. He notes that there are several difficulties still to beovercome before the new type of state is consolidated
inparticular, he is critical of its neoliberal form and considers itsmain alternatives.


This book will have broad cross-disciplinary appeal. It will beread by sociologists, political scientists, institutionaleconomists, geographers and students of social policy.