In 'On the State', Pierre Bourdieu presents his most comprehensive analysis of the modern state, compiled from his influential lectures at the Collège de France. Bourdieu deconstructs the state not as a neutral entity but as a 'meta-field' that holds a monopoly on legitimate physical and symbolic violence. He meticulously traces its historical genesis, revealing how it structures our perceptions and social realities. Through his key sociological concepts, Bourdieu offers a powerful framework for understanding the hidden mechanisms of state power, its bureaucratic logic, and its profound impact on everyday life, making this a foundational text in political sociology.