The chameleon state
Subtitle: global culture and policy shifts in Britain and Germany, 1914-1933
By: Tien-Lung Liu.
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Published: 1999
Place of publication: Providence, R.I
Language: eng
Number of pages: 171
Subjects: Labor policy -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century.; Arbitration, Industrial -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century.; Arbitration, Industrial -- Germany -- History -- 20th century.; Labor policy -- Germany -- History -- 20th century.
Description: The role of the state in capitalist societies has been a considerable bone of contention among scholars. The two founding fathers of sociology held radically opposing views on the subject, which were reflected in the numerous debates over subsequent decades to this day. Yet, no answer has been found to the vexing question: on whose side is the state in capitalist societies?

The author examines current theories and, comparing Britain and Germany, shows that such theories cannot explain the contradictory social and industrial policies in these two countries during the twentieth century. Based on in-depth archival and secondary sources, an alternative theoretical framework is offered by the author - one that focuses on the interactions of certain historical contingencies, the global cultural context, and political processes.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.