State Formation by Christian Krohn-Hansen, Knut G. Nustad - 9780745324418

State FormationAnthropological Perspectives\nAuthor(s): Christian Krohn-Hansen, Knut G. Nustad\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Pluto Press, United Kingdom\nImprint: Pluto Press\nISBN-13: 9780745324418, 978-0745324418\nSynopsis\nWhat is the 'state' and how can we best study it? This book investigates new ways of analysing the state.\n\nThe 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, but are also made by communities and individuals. \n\nThe contributors examine how state structures are viewed from the inside, by official state bodies, composed of bureaucrats and politicians; and how these state manifestations are supported, reproduced or transformed .