THEORIES OF THE STATE

[mcclintockbrent%faculty%Carthage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I'm putting together a section in my undergrad. public finance course on
theories of the state, especially heterodox views. In particular, I am looking
for suggestions on articles on Marxist theories of the state that would be
accessible to undergrads with little or no prior knowledge of Marxism.
Recommendations?

Other heterodox approaches greatly appreciated too. [Institutionalist theories
would seem to be covered in Ron Stanfield's "Dichotomized State" in Journal of
Econ Issues, Sept. 91. and Dugger and Waller's, edited collection _The Stratified State, by M.E. Sharpe.] I'd also be happy to hear of concise public choice
pieces that focus on pub finance to complete my burgeoning list of those!

Incidentally, it was quite revealing how sorry a state public finance has
fallen into that when I first posted a request for pub. fin. tests in early
November, the only texts people really felt were worthy of recommending were
out of print! Thanks to Marshall Feldman and Steve Pressman: I've been
adapting some good institutional, comparative, and geographic material from
the Herber and Bennett books. While I'll be using a text to sooth the local
authorities, I also partly took Jim Devine's suggestion to use an extended
reading list. I'd be happy to share the list (by direct e-mail to avoid clutter on PEN-L) with anyone interested once I've got it finalized.

Cheers,
Brent McClintock
e-mail: btm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx