Drawing on fieldwork from Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Peru,Guatemala, India, Chad, Columbia and South Africa, the contributors discuss theform and reach of the modern state and how people understand and experience theagency of the state, whether on the margins or at the centre of power. Issuesraised include the impact of the trade in arms, diamonds, goods and currency;the role of language as cultures try to articulate their struggles; and theproblems that mercenaries pose to the state.