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Introduction to Stategraphy. Toward a Relational Anthropology of the State

Social Analysis (Cover)

Social Analysis (Cover)

Thelen, Tatjana; Vetters, Larissa; Benda-Beckmann, Keebet von – 2014

In the introduction to this special issue, we discuss recent trends in anthropological research on and in theorizing the state. We show how these have given rise to an analytical gap between state images, on the one hand, and practices, on the other. Based on this analysis, we propose a relational approach that we call 'stategraphy' as a way to tie together state practices and representations. This ethnographically grounded approach focuses on relational modalities, boundary work, and forms of embeddedness of actors as constitutive factors. These avenues of analyses enable a nuanced understanding and comparative investigation of change and continuity as well as of mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion.

Title
Introduction to Stategraphy
Author
Thelen, Tatjana; Vetters, Larissa; Benda-Beckmann, Keebet von
Publisher
Berghahn
Location
Oxford; New York
Date
2014
Identifier
DOI: 10.3167/sa.2014.580302
Appeared in
Social Analysis 58(3)
Language
eng
Type
Text
Size or Duration
pp. 1–19