How To Get Mud Out Of A White Coat

network society and the state

The weather is currently perfect for me in the three-volume work of Manuel Castells, slowly but surely approaching the end of Volume II This volume is devoted to the issue of collective identity and statehood. far from striking is the widespread thesis of the crisis of the nation state in the era of globalization.

remarkable is that Castells not using it as case studies of small European states, but two large and remotely acting fairly vital countries: Mexico and the United States.

For Mexico, he was diagnosed from the beginning of the eighties an incipient transformation and "the end of his national State." The backdrop of globalization, the Free Trade Agreement NAFTA and the policy against drug trafficking. The disputes over the drug trade would destabilize Mexico and Castells are an illustration of "how the globalization of crime powerful and stable nation-states overwhelmed" (1). Castells sees signs yet that a coalition between the Zapatistas and urban Zivilgesellschaf the "Mexican nation united again", now has against the state of the traditional ruling party PRI.

Castells analysis is interesting and convincing. But can the crises change in Mexican society and their state as evidence of a fundamental historical crisis of modern territorial disintegration of the rule are given?

The question also arises in relation to the United States. Here Castells documented a rise antietatistischer, state of critical attitudes in the population. The Republicans have taken advantage of. Background is a dissatisfaction with the stagnant or declining standard of living. This feeds protectionist and isolationist approaches. In addition, a significant part of civil society "against the American welfare state" has mobilized. This growing segmentation is accepted and supported the repressive role of the state against the dangerous classes. The "crisis of the nation state" is not only a consequence of "cultural hegemony, anti-state values." She is also a consequence of a crisis of ideologies and role of the Federal Government, for example with regard to the God-given U.S. leadership in a global order. In the end, then Castells suggests a more cautious tone. The said development "Could potentially trigger the crisis of American nation-state" (page 315).


(1) Manuel Castells. The information age. Volume 2: The power of identity. Page 302