Research On Ralph Miliband’s State Theory

Ralph Miliband(1924-1994),formerly Adophe Miliband,was a prominent British Marxist political scientist and sociologist,a leading representative of the British "New Left".He is well known in the academic circles of contemporary Marxist abroad.Miliband’s academic status is mainly based on his theory of the state.His research on the contemporary developed capitalist state,his inheritance of the Marxist theory of the state and his persistent pursuit of socialism are of great inspiration for our comprehensive understanding of the Western capitalist state and our in-depth understanding of the Marxist theory of the state and socialism.Miliband’s theory of the state played a crucial role in the comprehensive revival of Marxist theory of the state in the 1960 s and 1970 s.At present,domestic and foreign research on this has achieved certain results,but still leaves a lot of room.This study adheres to the Marxist position and method,and explores Miliband’s theory of the state from multiple perspectives and in all directions.Through reading and analyzing the texts related to his theory,we outline its evolution vertically and analyze its content horizontally,aiming to grasp its theory as a whole and understand its core objectively,completely and accurately,while pointing out its shortcomings.The main innovation is the translation of the primary sources related to Miliband’s theory of the state,and then the generalization and division of the different stages of the theory’s progression through induction and organization.Through a systematic examination of Miliband’s theory of the state,it is argued that Miliband’s theory of the state contains a structuralist perspective that cannot be ignored in an instrumentalist-oriented analysis and opposes the labeling of Miliband’s theory of the state as an absolute instrumentalist theory of the state.The analytical framework of this paper,set in six chapters,starts from the background of the formation of Miliband’s theory of the state,and sorts out the evolution of the generation of his theory of the state through his articles and writings in different periods.In the process of clarifying its historical evolution,the core idea of his theory of the state is clearly understood,namely,the developed capitalist state is still a state ruled by the bourgeoisie(power elite),class contradictions and class struggles are irreconcilable,and the class that controls the state and the class that owns capital enjoy common interests and strengthen their ties through political and nepotistic ties.The core ideas and essential features of the theory and the method of its construction are synthesized to reproduce the impact of Miliband’s theory of the state after its emergence.Finally,Miliband’s theory of the state is dialectically evaluated from the perspective of Marxist theory of the state,and its theoretical value,challenges and implications for us in the contemporary situation of Marxist theory research are explored.The positive elements of Miliband’s theory of the state deserve our full attention,while the negative aspects are also enough to cause us to be alert.At present,we still need to further deepen our understanding of capitalism and socialism,because both are in the process of continuous development and we need to keep abreast of the times.At the same time,we should have a clear grasp of the essential differences between the two,and have sufficient knowledge and confidence in the superiority of socialism and in the fact that socialism is the only alternative to capitalism.Returning to practice,at this stage of China,it is necessary to unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party with Xi Jinping as the core.At this point,the main part of Miliband’s theory of the state is completed.The concluding part is a summary and conclusion of the whole text.The theory of the state is always a theory of the state in specific historical conditions,and Miliband’s theory of the state is a product of the history,culture and environment in which he lived.After World War II,Britain was in the midst of tremendous changes,and the existing views and theories could hardly explain clearly the new situations and problems that emerged every day in this old capitalist country.Miliband,taking into account the changes of the times and society,innovated on the basis of the critical inheritance of his predecessors’ theories and formed his own theory of the state,which is mainly a theory based on Britain and thinking about the future direction of Britain.At the present stage and in the new era of China,the theory that best fits our national conditions and can effectively guide our practice is the sinicization of Marxism: Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.This thought is the latest combination of the basic principles of Marxism and the concrete reality of China,and it provides theoretical analysis and policy guidance on issues that need to be addressed urgently in all aspects of the Party and national undertakings,and provides us with the correct action guidelines for achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.