Strategic-relational approach in Bob Jessop's political philosophy

Abstract

The article deals with conceptual framework of ontological study of the state as a complex social phenomenon, which is now under going the essential trans formations caused by global processes. Research focuses on political and philosophical explication of the state concept by the British theorist Bob Jessup. Strategic-relational approach to the definition of the concept of state proposed by B. Jessop is proved to have considerable heuristic potential.

In a post-structuralist way, B. Jessop tries to outline the positivity of power in he rent in its concrete historical hypostasis - the state power: The strategic and relational approach emphasizes that there is no reason to assume that state power is limited by imperative coordination - centralized planning and down ward management. State power can be exercised not only in the form of coercion, command, planning and bureaucracy, but also in the form of networks, partnerships, solidarity, etc. In this context, the state appears to bean institution a matrix for political debate on responses to certain challenges by means of governance As a matter of fact, the theory seems to be such a complement to post-structuralist philosophy, where the concept of the statewide is solved in the elements of power as a type of structure, and not the generic form of political existence.

B. Jessop's approach is an interesting variant of the use of post-structuralist ontology to the state. The civilization challenge that forces the conservative branches of law and the theory of the state to develop the assets of avant-garde philosophy is the formation of a global society that shifts foundations of the traditional national state.