English political pluralism is of particular relevance today because it offers an important critique of centralized sovereign state power. The Pluralist Theory of the State is the first collection of the major works of the leading theorists of this school of thought--G. D. H. Cole, J. N. Figgis and H. Laski. Paul Q. Hirst provides a crisp and informative introduction which situates the texts in the appropriate intellectual and political contexts and explains the debate surrounding them. This comprehensive introduction situates English political pluralism in a historical context and gives a critical account of the main theories connected with this important body of thought. The book will be of great interest to all those who see radical reform as important for the future health of democracy.