Future of state

In most countries there is disillusionment with the state. There are protests, revolts, and uprisings. Now if there is disillusionment with state what are the future possibilities? It is very clear that state is going to survive and Marx’s prediction of the end of state is not going to come true. It is also clear that in a more complex and fragmented society there will be more expectations from the state. Yet, state may not be very powerful to implement its own agenda. The state will have to withstand pressures from both top and bottom:

• International financial, developmental and political organizations in various forms. This includes powerful individual states, groups of states, United Nations, international NGOs, and conferences. For example, India’s policies are heavily influenced by commitment to MDGs, environmental protocols, IMF policies, policies and analysis of various divisions of UN, literature and resources generated by Population Council etc.

• Civil society. This includes offshoots of international NGOs, national and grassroots NGOs, CBOs, and spontaneous movements and institutions of people.