Examined is the question of whether a theory of the state is needed (both normative & explanatory), in the grand tradition of Hobbes, Rousseau, Hegel, & Mill. Contemporary empirical theorists either do not need one, or are incapable of having one. Contemporary normative liberal theorists, eg, Rawls, do not need one. Social democrats & democratic socialists do need one, & so do contemporary Marxist theorists, & they (eg, Miliband, Poulantzas, Habermas, O'Connor) are working effectively toward one. More attention to certain implications of their findings is needed: (1) that the legitimation problem has already changed, (2) that a new pluralism has emerged, a pluralism in reverse, by which the state can pluralize capital, & (3) that the possibiilty of saving any liberal democracy depends on an understanding of the new pluralism. These implications reduce the distance between Marxists & social democrats. AA.