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This page contains the searchable bibliography of Susan Strange’s academic work, academic and journalistic work that draws on Susan Strange’s theories and ideas. This bibliography remains a work in progress: if you have completed work, or know of works, that we should feature here, please let us know.

For copyright reasons, this site does not host any of Strange’s work, or of Strange-influenced work. Where available, we have provided links to external sites that host these works.

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Ethics and the Movement of Money: Realist Approaches

Strange, Susan. In Free Movement. Ethical Issues in Transnational Migration of People and Money, edited by Brian Barry, Robert E. Goodin, 232-247. Hemel Hempstead: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1992.

Identifying herself as a Realist, Strange notes that there is not one easily defined Realist perspective on the ethics of international monetary flows. Focusing on the continued existence and relative power of states she explores the problems these flows cause for states and stability in the international system overall. Here she examines international debt, free trade and protectionism, the transfer of profits, and but-outs or take-overs. Strange still seems to have some confidence that the state may play a useful regulatory and political role in economic affairs, a position she would move away from by the end of her career in 'The Defective State' (1995) and The Retreat of the State. The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy (1996) and elsewhere.

Keywords: Money and Finance; States; Realism

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, Editor: Brian Barry and Editor: Robert E. Goodin
Keywords: Money and Finance, States, 1990's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1992

States, Firms and Diplomacy

Strange, Susan. International Affairs 68, no. 1 (1992): 1-15.

This article in a brief summation of Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for world market shares (with John M. Stopford and John S. Henley, 1991) outlining the central argument of the book concerning the diplomacy between firms and states, and discusses some areas for further research. This represents a useful entry to the book picking out the salient points from the longer work, without the empirical elements. Reprinted in: Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy, edited by Roger Tooze and Christopher May. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Theory; Markets; States; Structural Power, Power; Technology

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Theory, Markets, States, Structural Power, Power, 1990's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1992

Traitors, Double Agents or Rescuing Knights

Strange, Susan. Working Paper for Table Ronde No. 4 ‘Les Individus dans la Politique Internatioanle’. Association Française de Science Politique, Quatrième Congrès, 1992.

In this working paper Strange links her approach laid out in States and Markets (1988) and links it to the research she had recently published on the role of firms in the global system Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for world market shares (with John M. Stopford and John S. Henley, 1991). This leads her to conclude that a greater role for firms (and their decision-makers, their managers) must be recognised by social science, and that the 'nation state' is less and less useful as a concept for the study of the global system. Once again Strange's frustration with the myopia of her colleagues is scarcely concealed.

Keywords: Corporations; Global governance; Structural Power, Power; Theory; Transnational Corporations; Global System

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Corporations, Global governance, Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1990's
Source and Medium: Working Paper

Year of Publication: 1992

An Eclectic Approach

Strange, Susan. In The New International Political Economy (International Political Economy Year Book No. 6), edited by Craig N. Murphy, Roger Tooze, 33-49. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1991.

Strange reiterates the structural dimensions of power from States and Markets (1988) and then goes on to develop this further by adding three conditioning factors that influence the structural elements of power - these are states, markets and technology. Essentially the new element here is the dynamic of technology. Strange makes the contribution of the technological dynamic to the four structures more explicit in this article than previously. She then concludes by again stressing the need for interdisciplinary understanding of IPE and how this should influence the teaching of the subject.

Keywords: Theory; Markets; States; Structural Power, Power; Technology

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, Editor: Craig N. Murphy and Editor: Roger Tooze
Keywords: Theory, Markets, States, Structural Power, Power, 1990's, Susan Strange
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1991

Big Business and the State

Strange, Susan. Millennium: Journal of International Studies 20, no. 2 (1991): 245-250.

Strange argues in this short piece that TNCs should be placed at the centre of IPE analysis along with the state and should not be left on the periphery. She also argues for an outside-in understanding of TNCs, putting them into the context in which they operate to understand them. This context is being transformed by changes in the production and financial structures, while she implicitly also argues for the centrality of changes in the 'knowledge' structure.

Keywords: Corporations; Knowledge; Structural Power, Power; Theory

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Corporations, Knowledge, Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1990's, Susan Strange
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1991

Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for World Market Shares

Strange, Susan, John M. Stopford, John S. Henley. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991.

A self-avowedly part international relations - part international business management work which in keeping with Strange's views discusses the interdependence between politics and economics without fore-grounding one at the expense of the other. The book builds on Strange's theory of power and links it through three national studies (Brazil, Malaysia, Kenya) to a consideration of the effect of structural change in the international political economy on the role of TNCs in international economic development. The authors suggest that diplomacy is now triangular; (traditional) state-state diplomacy has been joined by state-firm, and firm-firm diplomacy in the international political economy. In addition they note that the linking of TNCs with specific nations is increasingly difficult, not least due to the decreasing centrality of territorial considerations of power. The book concludes with policy advise for both states and multinationals and pointers for further research.

Keywords: Corporations; Foundational Work; Structural Power, Power; States; Transnational Corporations; Triangular Diplomacy

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, John M. Stopford and John S. Henley
Keywords: Corporations, Foundational Work, Structural Power, Power, States, 1990's
Source and Medium: Book

Year of Publication: 1991

Economic Linkages 1967-87

Strange, Susan. In The West and the Third World: Essays in Honour of J.D.B. Miller, edited by Robert O'Neill, John Vincent, 224-241. Basingstoke: Macmillan Academic and Professional, 1990.

In this article Strange sets Miller's work into the context of the analysis of international relations. Her central argument is two-fold - firstly, changes in the international political economy can only by understood through an analysis of structural power. And again she explicitly recognises the Marxist approach as both powerful and incomplete. She then stresses the continuing if changing role of the state, and state based authority. She suggests that this accounts for the continuing appeal of Realism. Having discussed a number of changes in international relations, she attributes to her former colleague (Miller was at Chatham House at the same time she was) a perspective consistent with her own.

Keywords: Structural Power, Power; Theory; Realism; International Relations

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, Editor: Robert O'Neill and Editor: John Vincent
Keywords: Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1990's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1990

Europe 1992 - Some Personal Observations (SAIIA occasional paper)

Strange, Susan. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 1990.

In this record of a personal address, Strange suggests the 1992 project served both the European collective interest (in the face of Asian and American competition) and the national interests of the major European states (France and Germany), though as notes Britain's position is less clear cut. Post 1992 Strange suggests the democratic deficit (in European institutions), finance (the European Central Bank, co-ordination of banking regulations and the single currency), defence (and public procurement), reciprocity in international trade, and R&D are areas which are likely to be the most important for governments to attend to. But she also notes that identifying the boundaries of Europe, social (welfare) policy, immigration and national restrictive practices are all problems which though currently marginal will be aggravated by 1992.

Keywords: Europe; European Integration

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Europe, 1990's
Source and Medium: Working Paper

Year of Publication: 1990

Finance, Information and Power

Strange, Susan. Review of International Studies 16, no. 3 (1990): 259-274.

Strange discusses the difference between American structural power and Japanese relational power in the financial structure. In addition she discusses the impact of communications technology changes on the operation of international financial markets, which represents an illuminating case study of how two structures interact with each other to bring about changes in the international political economy, in this case the financial and knowledge structures. In addition Strange notes that at least part of American structural power is derived from the privileged position of the 'American-English' language in the knowledge structure. Reprinted in: Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy, edited by Roger Tooze and Christopher May. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Knowledge; Money and Finance; Structural Power, Power; Theory; Knowledge Production

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Knowledge, Money and Finance, Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1990's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1990

The Name of the Game

Strange, Susan. In Sea Changes: American Foreign Policy in a World Transformed, edited by Nicholas X. Rizopoulos, 238-273. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1990.

Strange develops an argument that the competition for territory in international relations has been superseded by the competition for world market shares. This decline in the importance in territory has engendered among other things an international business civilisation that is based on firms and enterprises rather than nationality. However this seems to be different from the transnational empire she suggests in 'Towards a Theory of Transnational Empire' (1989). This central change in the international political economy, has led to a diffusion of state power, but still leaves the US the most powerful actor in the world. Strange argues that power is shifting from a territorial state basis, to a transnational enterprise basis. However this power is geographical, centred on such cities as New York and Los Angeles, not as before on Washington DC. This article marks a significant step towards the analysis of firms as being as important as states for Strange's IPE, fully developed in Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for world market shares (with John M. Stopford and John S. Henley, 1991) .

Keywords: Corporations; Markets; Theory; Structural Power, Power; International Economics; Transnational Corporations

Contributor(s): Susan Strange and Editor: Nicholas X. Rizopoulos
Keywords: Corporations, Markets, Theory, Structural Power, Power, 1990's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1990

I Never Meant to be an Academic

Strange, Susan. In Journeys Through World Politics: Autobiographical Reflections of Thirty-four Academic Travellers, edited by James Kruzel, James N. Roseneau, 429-436. Lexington: Lexington Books, 1989.

This brief autobiographical essay makes interesting reading and, if one so chooses, may give clues to the personal foundations for Strange's approach. The essay is weighted towards her earlier life but is none the less informative for that. Reprinted in: Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy, edited by Roger Tooze and Christopher May Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Other; Personal Reflection

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, Editor: James Kruzel and Editor: James N. Roseneau
Keywords: Other, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1989

International Political Economy: Reuniting Three Fields of Intellectual Endeavour

Strange, Susan. Liberal Education 75, no. 3 (1989): 20-24.

Strange uses the work she was co-ordinating with John Stopford, later published as Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for world market shares (with John M. Stopford and John S. Henley, 1991) to launch a critique of the separation of International Relations, International Economics and the research carried out in business schools. She argues that her approach, foregrounding structural power, requires analysis from all three directions and therefore there needs to be much better contact and co-operation between the three fields. Here Strange is again expressing her frustration, which first surfaced in 'International economics and international relations: a case of mutual neglect' (1970) and continued to produce recommendations for the breaking down of disciplinary boundaries throughout her subsequent career. Reprinted in: Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy, edited by Roger Tooze and Christopher May. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Political Economy; Theory

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Political Economy, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1989

The Persistence of Problems in EC-US Relations: Conflicts of Perception?

Strange, Susan. In The External Relations of the European Community, in Particular EC-US Relations, edited by Jürgen Schwarze, 109-118. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlasgesellschaft, 1989.

Strange suggests that the two primary activities of any political organisation are the furtherance of security and the control of money, and it is these issues that remain at the centre of the problem of US-Europe relations. Here Strange again challenges the assumption of a loss of American hegemony (and therefore power) in the global system. This leads her to emphasise the need for both political will by the system's strongest state as well as international and multilateral efforts to attend to the problems of the global system, for it is different perception on either side of the Atlantic of America's potential to act which are causing continued friction. While the Europeans see an America unwilling to act, the US Government claims it cannot act.

Keywords: Europe; Hegemony; Money and Finance; Security; United States

Contributor(s): Susan Strange and Editor: Jürgen Schwarze
Keywords: Europe, Hegemony, Money and Finance, Security, United States, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1989

Towards a Theory of Transnational Empire

Strange, Susan. In Global Changes and Theoretical Challenges: Approaches to World Politics for the 1990s, edited by Ernst-Otto Czempiel and James N. Roseneau, 161-176. Lexington: Lexington Books, 1989.

In this article Strange offers only her second explicit excursion into the epistemology of international theories, the first being a similar section in States and Markets (1988). She argues that theories must be more than description, taxonomy, importation of models from other disciplines or quantitative and that theories must explain some aspect of the international system not obvious to 'commonsense'. In addition she argues for her own version of non-positivism stressing only that rationality of explanation is required for a theory to be scientific. In the second part of this article Strange argues for a non-territorial theory of imperialism based on her four structures of power. The transnational empire she identifies is centred on the 'court' in Washington DC, and she argues that new studies of empire are needed to understand this new type of transnational empire. What is required is a problem solving theory for such an empire, since it is manifestly in existence. Reprinted in: Political Regulation in the 'Great Crisis', edited by Werner Väth. 25-42. Berlin: Edition Sigma, 1989; and in Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy, edited by Roger Tooze and Christopher May. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Hegemony; Political Economy; Theory

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, Editor: Ernst-Otto Czempiel and Editor: James N. Roseneau
Keywords: Hegemony, Political Economy, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1989

A Dissident View

Strange, Susan. In One European Market? A Critical Analysis of the Commission's Internal Market Strategy, edited by Roland Bieber, John Pinder, Joseph H.H. Weiler, 73-76. Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlasgesellschaft, 1988.

A brief article in which Strange argues that in the national competition for market shares within the global economy, there are two important strategies, neither of which at that time could the European Community realistically follow. Firstly, state procurement can be used as a stimulus to research and development and secondly the control of market access can be used as a bargaining lever. Unless the single market is used in this way, and a common defence policy is adopted, along with centralised procurement, then Strange envisages Europe (even with closer union) still loosing out to the Americans and Japanese. Strange reveals her mercantilist side, as she had done in her discussions of protectionism in 'The Management of Surplus Capacity: Or how does theory stand up to protectionism 1970s style?' (1979), 'Protectionism and World Politics' ( 1985) and 'Defending Benign Mercantilism' (1988).

Keywords: Europe; Markets; Trade; Economic Competition; European Integration

Contributor(s): Susan Strange, Editor: Roland Bieber and Editor: John Pinder
Keywords: Europe, Markets, Trade, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1988

Defending Benign Mercantilism

Strange, Susan. Journal of Peace Research 25, no. 3 (1988): 273-277.

In this review of Robert Gilpin's Political Economy of International Relations, Strange again argues against 'Hegemonic Stability Theory', see 'The persistent myth of lost hegemony' (1987), but has started to develop a theory of transnational empire to explain the structural power of the United States. Part of this argument is the increasing non-territoriality of structural power, which is developed in a number of works below.

Keywords: Hegemony; Structural Power, Power; Theory; Trade

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Hegemony, Structural Power, Power, Theory, Trade, 1980's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1988

States and Markets

Strange, Susan. London: Printer Publishers, 1988.

Although subtitled 'An Introduction...' to IPE, this represents the only book length discussion of Strange's theory of the four dimensions of power in IPE. It is at once an introduction to the subject and a forceful agenda setting exercise for further research. As such, though often appearing on undergraduate course reading lists, this is Strange's defining book, one about which the rest of her work revolves. Strange discusses her ideas on theory building and methodology as well as the four structures of power in the international political economy: security, finance, production and knowledge. This discussion is mobilised around the balance of authority and markets and the questions of value preferences, and of course 'cui bono?' (who benefits?). She then applies this analysis to a number of 'secondary structures'. Those who dismiss this as 'merely an introductory text' have completely missed the point! Prologue reprinted in: Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy, edited by Roger Tooze and Christopher May. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Foundational Work; Political Economy; Structural Power, Power; Theory; Authority vs Markets

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Foundational Work, Political Economy, Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book

Year of Publication: 1988

The Future of the American Empire

Strange, Susan. Journal of International Affairs 42, no. 1 (1988): 1-17.

Strange argues that increasingly power in the international political economy is not territorially defined, and what has emerged is an empire that is not territorially based, and secondly is controlled by information-rich US corporations. However while she call this the 'American Empire' her argument is (self-avowedly) close to an international Gramscian 'historical bloc' analysis. Thus the controlling bureaucracy of this empire while based on American values and culture is not necessarily staffed by Americans. This argument is carried further in 'Towards a Theory of Transnational Empire' (1989).

Keywords: Hegemony; Knowledge; Structural Power, Power; Knowledge Production; Transnational Corporations

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Hegemony, Knowledge, Structural Power, Power, 1980's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1988

The Persistent Myth of Lost Hegemony: Reply to Milner and Snyder 'Lost Hegemony?'

Strange, Susan. International Organisation 42, no. 4 (1988): 751-752.

In reference to (1987) there was a brief methodological exchange in the pages of International Organisation which while essentially inconclusive, offered a brief clue to Strange's attitude to empirical evidence. Though she originally cited empirical data, in response to the criticism from Milner and Snyder that this evidence left her arguments unproved, Strange answered that the real evidence to prove her argument empirically would be too difficult to collect, though in theory it could be possible to compile. What seems clear from this exchange, is that Strange is not dealing with 'evidence' in its strict form and has a permissive view towards its acceptability.

Keywords: Hegemony; Structural Power, Power; Theory

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Hegemony, Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1988

The Persistent Myth of Lost Hegemony

Strange, Susan. International Organisation 41, no. 4 (1987): 551-574.

Strange's classic attack of the 'declinist school' in international relations. Once she has discussed the more 'sociological' reasons for American academics holding this view (of which the most powerful/cynical is that it is essentially a convenient denial of responsibility by Americans for their effect on the international system), Strange goes on to elaborate the four structures of power in IPE. This exposition closely parallels (though in a brief form) the arguments that appear in States and Markets (1988). Strange again identifies the American domestic political process (and constitutional structure) as being the root of many of international problems. Strange suggests that the domestic and international cannot be separated analytically, and her structural analysis of power explains the effects of American domestic politics on the international political economy. An earlier version was given in a conference paper presented to the 30th Annual Conference of the Japan Association of International Relations in Tokyo, October 1986. Reprinted in: Authority and Markets: Susan Strange’s Writings on International Political Economy. Roger Tooze and Christopher May, editors. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002.

Keywords: Foundational Work; Hegemony; Structural Power, Power; Theory

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Foundational Work, Hegemony, Structural Power, Power, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Journal Article

Year of Publication: 1987

Casino Capitalism

Strange, Susan. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1986.

Strange argues that uncertainty and risk in the financial sector/structure have provoked major economic disturbances in the last twenty or so years. This work represents a detailed sectoral history and analysis which argues against many of the proposed solutions to the international economic crisis she identifies. Strange argues that the United States must once again take up the leadership role (which it enjoys by virtue of economic preponderance) and more radically suggests that in the future financial regulation of credit creating agencies should not be a territorially based jurisdiction, but based on the currencies themselves wherever the credit transactions take place. Using her analysis, locating and understanding 'key decisions' in one sector/structure of power in the international political economy, Strange shows how disruption has spread to affect the other structures, and concludes with suggestions for how constitutional and governmental changes in the United States would benefit the international system. Alongside States and Markets (1988) and Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for world market shares (with John M. Stopford and John S. Henley, 1991) this represents a major part of the influential core of Strange's work on international political economy. Reprinted, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997.

Keywords: Foundational Work; Money and Finance; Theory; General Framework

Contributor(s): Susan Strange
Keywords: Foundational Work, Money and Finance, Theory, 1980's, Susan Strange
Source and Medium: Book

Year of Publication: 1986

Comment on David T. Llewellyn 'International Monetary System Since 1972: Structural Change and Financial Innovation': pp. 14-47

Strange, Susan. In Problems of International Money, 1972-85, edited by Michael Posner, 44-45. Washington D.C.: IMF/London: ODI, 1986.

Identifying herself as a 'political realist', Strange stresses the need to accord sufficient weight to the 'realities' of power and the profit motive when examining the interaction of authority and markets in the international financial system. Thus while Llewellyn's paper is well received, he is too polite about the problems policy makers and economic 'experts' have been unable to solve.

Keywords: Authority; Markets; Money and Finance; Theory; Realism

Contributor(s): Susan Strange and Editor: Michael Posner
Keywords: Authority, Markets, Money and Finance, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1986

Politics, Trade and Money

Strange, Susan. In Europe, America and the World Economy, edited by Loukas Tsoukalis, 243-255. Oxford: Basil Blackwell for the College of Europe, 1986.

Strange identifies two main obstructions to a constructive dialogue between the United States and Europe over international trade: America's lack of interest in maintaining a steady provision of credit to the interdependent international system; and Europe's inability to take responsibility for its own defence and security, and therefore reducing its dependence on America. This leads Strange to conclude that the U.S. has abused rather than lost its power in the international economy, refusing to allow the separation the international risks from domestic bank activities in developing countries, taking no notice of the Brandt's commissions call for a independent multilateral financial institution, and not taking the role of international lender of last resort. This refusal led to the upheavals which the system was then experiencing. Underlying these problems is the lack of political will on behalf of the United States government to act as a responsible hegemon. Thus the problem is not declining US power, but rather the lack of a counter-balance from Europe, a theme she first explored at length in 'Cuba and After' (1963) and to which she would return to in 'The persistence of problems in EC-US relations: conflicts of perception?' (1989) and elsewhere.

Keywords: Money and Finance; Hegemony; Europe; United States

Contributor(s): Susan Strange and Editor: Loukas Tsoukalis
Keywords: Money and Finance, Hegemony, Europe, United States, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1986

Reaganomics, the Third World and the Future

Strange, Susan. In Third World Affairs 1986, edited by Raana Gauhar, 65-72. London: Third World Foundation for Social and Economic Studies, 1986.

Strange starts this chapter with the suggestion that like Mark Twain reports of the demise of American hegemony are premature. She then presents a short history of U.S. economic policy towards the Third World and the global system as a whole. This allows her to emphasise the structural power approach that she would develop at some length in States and Markets (1988) and argue that while many on the left see America's influence as entirely malign, she sees good and bad in its domination of the international system. She concludes the main problem is uncertainty regarding U.S. policy, which while leading to rational responses (risk-avoiding devices, such as hedging) in the financial structure. However, these responses also bring with them a shadow (speculation, gambling and both political and economic recklessness) which produces further financial instability for the system and most particularly Third World countries.

Keywords: Hegemony; Money and Finance; Structural Power, Power

Contributor(s): Susan Strange and Editor: Raana Gauhar
Keywords: Hegemony, Money and Finance, Structural Power, Power, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1986

Supranationals and the State

Strange, Susan. In States in History, edited by John A. Hall, 289-305. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1986.

To some extent a precursor to Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for world market shares (with John Stopford, 1991) which concludes that there is a functional convergence between states and TNCs. The central argument is that transnationals - TNCs and international organisations - both support and undermine states at the same time. There is a paradoxical symbiosis, that is under-examined due to most writers discussing either support roles or undermining roles. In addition there has been a shift in the basis of economic power, from land and power to capital and knowledge. Clearly this part of Strange's larger argument about the transnational power of capital and American TNCs, and represents the beginning of a shift away from the position suggesting a final authority of states over transnationals in Paths to International Political Economy (1984).

Keywords: Corporations; Knowledge; Theory; Corporations; Knowledge Production

Contributor(s): Susan Strange and Editor: John A. Hall
Keywords: Corporations, Knowledge, Theory, 1980's
Source and Medium: Book Chapter

Year of Publication: 1986