The Colonial State

Book excerpt: The aim in this work is to address, through historical narrativization of some specific moments of colonial state building, the question: What, in theory, are the historical specificities of the 'colonial' state as distinct from other state forms? An attempt is made in this book, to weave together the discourse of state theory and the narrative of state practices. This approach is based on the argument that theory was not something out there to guide practice. Empirical evidence suggests a more complex picture of interaction between the two where, within parameters structured by theory, the practice in turn produces and structures theory at each conjuncture.