This course examines major theoretical perspectives on modern industrial states, including pluralism, neoliberalism, Marxism and feminism. An effort is made to relate each perspective to relevant political issues of the day. In the final section of the course a number of thematic issues are considered from the perspective of state theory such as the role of social movements in shaping state policies and the impact of globalization on democracy and the viability of the nation-state. (Formerly PPA 525).