Re-theorizing the interactive state: reflections on a popular participatory initiative in Ireland

Recent developments in critical state theory that have attempted to inject greater scope for the consideration of social agency have contributed to the emergence of a theory of the interactive state. This paper considers some of the themes associated with these theoretical developments with reference to a particular state instigated popular participatory initiative, namely, the Irish governments Womens Health Initiative. It is argued that these themes provide routes to the explanation of diverse forms of interaction between the state and pressure groups and to avoiding an over-generalized approach to the analysis of these relationships.