36 SOCIAL SCIENTIST creative interpretation to the ancient state and society in India by employing the Marxist methodology. He observed that in India it was not the classes that created the state but it is almost the state that created the classes.2 This formulation helps us in understanding theoretical and methodological dimensions of the state and its apparatus. The state in this part of the globe has been one of the principal extractors of surplus without any active participation in raising the productive forces. It was its prerogative to use physical force that gave the state edge and advantage over various other institutions. It employed this force wherever necessary in maintaining the order so as to see that there are no impediments and opposition to continuous surplus extraction. The apparatus that was designed and developed, therefore, was to carry these two primary functions viz., the surplus extraction through revenue machinery and the maintenance of order through the police force. It is these aspects of the state that are neglected in the social enquiry. The study of the Third World state is undertaken either by the western scholars or the local scholars using the western theoretical models and methodologies. The studies have not been able to capture the complex reality as the western perspectives are superimposed on a reality which was different. The entire modern political theory is based on the structural functional equilibrium.3 They view capitalist development as the only desirable path and believe that it is the final stage of development. It is this perspective that characterises their theory and method. This approach reduced the state apparatus— bureaucracy—into a mere instrument and advocated for a separate focus. Thus it is not studied as an integral part of the power structure. In fact in the Third World context the administrative apparatus is not only the concrete form of state power but occupies considerable political space. The study of the state without reference to the theory and practice of its apparatus would never provide a view of totality of the complex reality. II In the Western contributions related to the state apparatus two works need special mention. It was Woodrow Wilson who pleaded that study of administrative apparatus should be separated from the study of the political organs of power.4 This left a theoretical tradition which was further buttressed by Taylorism which emphasised on the method and process without any regard to the political context. Nor did it examine the nature of capital and purpose of organisation5. The fact that Lenin welcomed Taylorism led to an argument that there are techno-managerial processes which cut across the political and ideological frontiers.