Marxism and the Capitalist State

“This collection from a younger generation of scholars brings forward not only the theoretical and analytical richness of the Marxist tradition but also its indispensability for any project of radical social transformation.”

— Panagiotis Sotiris, Hellenic Open University, Greece and author of A Philosophy for Communism: Rethinking Althusser (2020)

“From the Covid pandemic to global warming to vulnerable supply chains, it has become commonplace to observe the ‘return of the state.’ This volume adds much-needed rigor to such discussions. There is no better moment to revisit and advance Marxist state theory.”

—Thea Riofrancos, Associate Professor of Political Science, Providence College, USA

“This volume contains a masterfully orchestrated set of arguments and insights for a materialist theory of the state and will undoubtedly serve as a reference point for future debate.”

— Marco Goldoni, Senior Lecturer in LegalTheory, Glasgow University, UK


This book builds on the recent revival of interest in Marx and Marxism, calling for a renewal and refinement of Marxist state theory. It aims to encourage new debates and critiques that build on—but also update and extend—the rich tradition of Marxist analyses of the capitalist state, including the well-known debates of the 1970s. The chapters present a dynamic and diverse constellation of arguments and perspectives on a range of topics, from general re-appraisals of the capitalist state to investigations of contemporary challenges—including digitalisation, the ecological crisis, the coronavirus pandemic, social reproduction, and critical political economy. What they share is a commitment to an understanding of the specifically capitalist character of the modern state and its significance for any serious discussion of the causes of our current age of global catastrophe and the overcoming of capitalist social relations.


Rob Hunter holds a PhD in Politics from Princeton University, USA. He is a member of the Legal Form editorial collective.

Rafael Khachaturian is a Lecturer in Critical Writing at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Eva Nanopoulos is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Queen Mary, University of London UK.