The Transformation of the State

'A wonderfully insightful, balanced and constructive book which will also be an essential student text. Sorensen pioneers in finding a middle ground between those who argue that states are 'losing' or 'winning' by shifting the focus to multilevel governance and particular issue-areas.' - Yale H. Ferguson, Rutgers University 'An important and impressive book, which brings much-needed fresh perspective to a long-standing debate as to the nature of the state in various parts of the world. The debate should now subside in the face of Georg Sorensen's nuanced analysis of how the state has changed in the past and how it continues to undergo transformation even though its future trajectory is far from clear.' - James N. Rosenau, The George Washington University 'Sorensen has a remarkable ability to clarify complex contemporary issues. His exploration of the impact of economic globalization upon states in both the developed and developing worlds will be illuminating to novices and experts alike.' - Richard Sandbrook, University of Toronto 'This well-written book, which unlike many in the field pays full attention to the world beyond as well as within the OECD, is a must for everyone interested in current changes in political order.' - Michael Zurn, Universitat Bremen

Recent years have seen a range of theoretical challenges to traditional notions of state sovereignty and a burgeoning debate about the power of the state in the face of globalization and new forms of governance.Recent years have seen a range of theoretical challenges to traditional notions of state sovereignty and a burgeoning debate about the power of the state in the face of globalization and new forms of governance. In this important new text, Georg Sørensen provides a systematic assessment of the contemporary state, steering a middle course between those who argue the state is in retreat and their critics. In so doing he sheds new light on just what is actually changing in the nature of sovereign statehood, on changes in the relative power of different states and on the changing relationship between the domestic and external aspects of state power.