Shifting States: New Perspectives on Security, Infrastructure and Political Affect

Shifting States explores how state power manifests,is imagined,and affects ordinary people's lives,providing tools for understanding responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and judging their effects.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 13 July 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Shifting States is a comprehensive exploration of anthropological theories on various states, spanning from pre-industrial to post-industrial eras. It delves into diverse topics such as bureaucracy, infrastructure, surveillance, securitization, and public health. In the present era, a growing perception emerges that the state faces crises worldwide, driven by a complex interplay of globalization, economic shocks, and the rise of social media-fueled populist movements. However, alongside this, there is a subtle notion that state power is expanding its reach and influence, becoming increasingly imminent to our material realities, shaping our perceptions of the future, and forming the core of our self-identity.

To navigate these contradictory impressions, this timely volume offers fresh perspectives on how state power manifests, is imagined, and impacts the lives of ordinary individuals. Through ethnographic case studies from diverse regions across the globe, it fosters innovative ways of thinking about the state and its effects. By providing valuable tools for understanding state responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing their potential consequences, Shifting States contributes to our understanding of states and their role in shaping our world.

The volume's exploration of state power encompasses various dimensions. It examines the ways in which states establish and maintain control, exploring the institutions, policies, and practices that shape their authority. It also delves into the imaginative aspects of state power, exploring how individuals and societies perceive and interpret the exercise of state authority. Moreover, the volume sheds light on the real-world effects of state power, examining how it impacts individuals' lives, communities, and societies at large.

One of the key themes of Shifting States is the role of bureaucracy in shaping state power. The chapter explores the origins, evolution, and functions of bureaucracy, highlighting its significance in governing societies. It examines how bureaucracy facilitates decision-making, organizes resources, and maintains order, but also how it can become cumbersome, inefficient, and prone to corruption. The volume also explores the ways in which bureaucracy interacts with other forms of state power, such as infrastructure, surveillance, and securitization, shaping the ways in which states exercise their authority.

Infrastructure plays a crucial role in state power, as it enables the implementation of policies and the provision of services. The chapter examines the development and management of infrastructure, including transportation, energy, telecommunications, and water systems. It explores how infrastructure shapes urban landscapes, facilitates economic growth, and contributes to social inequality. The volume also examines the ways in which infrastructure can be used as a tool of state power, such as in the construction of surveillance systems, the securitization of borders, and the control of public spaces.

Surveillance is another critical aspect of state power, as it enables states to monitor and control their populations. The chapter explores the origins, evolution, and functions of surveillance, highlighting its significance in maintaining social order. It examines how surveillance technologies such as cameras, drones, and facial recognition systems are used to monitor individuals, gather data, and prevent crime. The volume also explores the ways in which surveillance can be used as a tool of state power, such as in the surveillance of marginalized communities, the monitoring of political dissidents, and the enforcement of authoritarian regimes.

Securitization is a process by which states use security measures to protect their populations from threats. The chapter explores the origins, evolution, and functions of securitization, highlighting its significance in responding to emergencies and maintaining social order. It examines how securitization technologies such as border walls, surveillance systems, and military interventions are used to protect states from external threats and internal instability. The volume also explores the ways in which securitization can be used as a tool of state power, such as in the repression of political dissidents, the control of migration, and the perpetuation of social inequality.

Public health is a critical aspect of state power, as it enables states to promote the well-being and health of their populations. The chapter explores the origins, evolution, and functions of public health, highlighting its significance in responding to pandemics and maintaining social order. It examines how public health policies, practices, and technologies are used to prevent disease, promote health, and respond to emergencies. The volume also explores the ways in which public health can be used as a tool of state power, such as in the surveillance of marginalized communities, the control of healthcare resources, and the perpetuation of social inequality.

In conclusion, Shifting States is a comprehensive exploration of anthropological theories on various states, spanning from pre-industrial to post-industrial eras. It delves into diverse topics such as bureaucracy, infrastructure, surveillance, securitization, and public health. Through ethnographic case studies from diverse regions across the globe, it fosters innovative ways of thinking about the state and its effects. By providing valuable tools for understanding state responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing their potential consequences, Shifting States contributes to our understanding of states and their role in shaping our world.

ISBN-13: 9781350125568