The internal turmoil on December 3 and the ensuing political instability and crisis of democracy have prompted us to ask a fundamental question: What is the state?

However, the state is not merely a subject tied to major political issues such as democracy, sovereignty, constitutions, and martial law. As the renowned French urban scholar Henry Lefebvre explained modern society and cities through the concept of the “state mode of production,” our lives and everyday experiences are deeply structured by state actions. In particular, urban planning, administration, and regional development—key functions of the state—serve as crucial arenas where complex interactions between the state and society unfold.

Bob Jessop, a leading scholar who has studied the capitalist state for over 40 years, published The State: Past, Present, Future in 2016, synthesizing his extensive research on state theory. This book has recently been translated, offering an opportunity to explore not only the current political crisis facing South Korea but also how the state influences our urban lives and how we might transform it. Through studying this work, we aim to engage in a collective discussion on these pressing issues.