Abstract
Carl J. Cuneo's comments on my article touch upon fundamental
methodological and theoretical issues. Several misconceptions need
correcting before these issues can be fruitfully engaged.
First, Cuneo situates my argument in structural-functionalism and
elite analysis, as an attempt to "insulate the state from class formations
and struggles."1 It was Louis Althusser's work,2 as elaborated by
Poulantzas,3 that unleashed a vigorous examination of the state as a
relatively autonomous instance in capitalist formations. Once the seeds
of relative autonomy were sown, it was only a matter of time before
someone reaped a pseudo-Weberian harvest.4 Thus the tendency to
insulate the state has a clear Marxist pedigree as well.
methodological and theoretical issues. Several misconceptions need
correcting before these issues can be fruitfully engaged.
First, Cuneo situates my argument in structural-functionalism and
elite analysis, as an attempt to "insulate the state from class formations
and struggles."1 It was Louis Althusser's work,2 as elaborated by
Poulantzas,3 that unleashed a vigorous examination of the state as a
relatively autonomous instance in capitalist formations. Once the seeds
of relative autonomy were sown, it was only a matter of time before
someone reaped a pseudo-Weberian harvest.4 Thus the tendency to
insulate the state has a clear Marxist pedigree as well.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Canadian Journal of Political Science |
| Publication status | Published - 1986 |
| Externally published | Yes |