Das Staatsverständnis von Norbert Elias

Norbert Elias's conception of the state derives from his interdependency theory of power and his process- and figurational sociology perspective. As a result of long-term and unplanned processes from which sovereign monopolies such as those of physical violence and taxation can arise, the state emerged as the "character of the supreme body for coordination and regulation for the whole of the functional processes" (Elias). Elias insists that state-building processes have a Janus-face: pacification on the domestic front and warfare beyond its borders are still today disturbing elements. His genuine perspective on the political and the state always has a close look at the people and the interdependent figurations that they form as established and outsiders. The contributions of this volume discuss the most important ideas of Elias's understanding of the state and examine the potential for more reality-congruent analyses of modern statehood.