Introduction to Stategraphy: Toward a Relational Anthropology of the State

Author(s)

Tatjana Thelen, Larissa Vetters, Keebet von Benda-Beckmann

Abstract

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, bound- ary work, and forms of embeddedness of actors as constitutive factors. These avenues of analyses enable a nuanced understanding and com- parative investigation of change and continuity as well as of mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion.

Organisation(s)

Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

External organisation(s)

Max-Planck-Institut für evolutionäre Anthropologie

Journal

Social Analysis

Volume

58

Pages

1-19

No. of pages

19

ISSN

0155-977X

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3167/sa.2014.580302

Publication date

12-2014

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

504017 Cultural anthropology

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cultural Studies, Arts and Humanities(all), Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/introduction-to-stategraphy-toward-a-relational-anthropology-of-the-state(94f39879-1401-4f33-a558-e09ea7308cb7).html