The Instrumentalist Theory of the State in Marxist Thought: A Critical Evaluation of Class Dominance and State Function in Capitalist Societies The instrumentalist theory of the state within Marxist thought offers a direct and materially grounded explanation of class dominance, positing the state as a tool or "instrument" wielded by the ruling capitalist class to … Continue reading Evaluate the instrumentalist theory of the state in Marxist thought, with particular reference to its explanation of class dominance and the state’s role in capitalist society.