Political Science

20 January 2024 21:02

Unit II: Political Theory

a. What is State? Concept, Evolution, Development and Elements
Generally common people use the term state in the sense of government, society,
association or nation according to their convenience. It is usually used in the sense of
government.The French Emperor Louis XIV said, “I am state.” He meant that he was a part of the state
and that is, government. In fact, government is an important element of the state to be regarded as the
main spring in fulfilling the objectives of the state. A state can be recognised by its government.

We shall discuss the distinction between state and government later on. But it should be
clear that state is permanent, but government is not: Government changes, but state
remains unchanged. During world war there was government led by Churchill in
England, and after the war Labour Party formed the government led by Ettlee. We use
the term state to mean the countries like the U.S.A., U.S.S.R., England, Japan and
India – and also the constituent units of the federal state. We call New York, California
in the U.S.A. and U.P., Punjab etc, in India as state. But it is not scientific use of the
term.”
Today state has brought peace and order in our social life. This has assured security in
our personal life and established an environmental helping co-operation in social life.
This has made possible the growth of culture and civilization.
Thus state is similar to human nature. It is very essential for man. It is permanent. State
is natural because it is the result of our natural instinct. Plato said that no man is
complete by himself. He has to accept social bond for meeting his mental and physical
needs. First family is formed and many families combined together to form a village.
From village appeared the city. State is the best organisation appearing in this order. It
is in keeping with the human nature, state is very essential because various needs of
man are met only through the co-operation of the state.Today we can not imagine of the
development of the personality of an individual without the state. In fact without state
society would be full of disorder and disorganised. Aristotle said, “The state comes into
existence originating in the bare needs of the life and continuing in existence for the
sake of good life.”
Definition of State
Political scientists have defined state according to their view-points. The eminent
German scholar Schulze said that state has been explained in so many ways that is not
possible to count them all. But all these definitions have some common features. We
should discuss about the ancient and modern views :

Aristotle defined state “The state is a union of families and villages having for its end
perfect and self-sufficient life by which we mean a happy and honorable life .” .

According to Cicero“The state is a numerous visto united by a common sense of right

and mutual participation in advantages.”
 Defination of a state : “ State means allocation of people who lives within a
geographical area under the organized govt and subject to no outside control”

FOUR Elements of State

(1) Population,

(2) Territory,

(3) Government

(4) Sovereignty

1. Population-The state is a social concept. As a result, the most essential factor is

population. There are no definite rules when it comes to population. Plato and Aristotle,
among other ancient Greek authors, advocated for a small population. A perfect state,
according to Plato, should have 5040 people as its population.
Aristotle established the broad notion that a state’s population should be large enough
to be sufficient yet small enough to allow for good governance. It’s important to recall
that they were both thinking in terms of little city-states.
Rousseau set the figure at 10,000 in contemporary times, inspired by ideas of direct
democracy. A huge population, on the other hand, might be a problem if the state’s
resources are insufficient to support it. Overpopulation is one of the most serious issues
that developing countries confront. As a result, there should be a healthy equilibrium
between a state’s population number and its material wealth

2. Territory: A defined and more or less permanent territory is also considered an essential
aspect of the state. Citizens in contemporary times are linked by their shared living on a
common land. A state’s territory is made up of land, sea, and air space.
There is no limit to area, just as there is no limit to population. Small and big states
coexist in the world. All states, regardless of population or size, have the same status
and rights under international law. Small states are said to be ideal for efficient
administration and creating a sense of unity and affection for the state among the
people.
A small state, on the other hand, is at a disadvantage in its ties with larger states. Small
states are influenced by one or more major and strong countries. It is argued in favour
of big states because they are powerful in defence and economically self-sufficient due
to resource availability.
It should be noted that a state’s strength and security are not only defined by the size of
its territory. Other considerations include geographic position, resources, and climate.

3. Government: A group of individuals who occupy a specific region cannot create a state
unless they are politically organised, that is, unless they have a government. The state’s
political organisation is known as the government. It is a tangible and visible expression
of governmental authority.
 Government, according to Garner, is the institution that determines common policies
and regulates common affairs. The government is the medium through which the state
wills and acts. Government must be effective; it must be capable of maintaining order
and ensuring compliance. There would be chaos and anarchy without a government,
and the state would eventually dissolve.
The legislature, executive, and judiciary are the three branches of government. The
legislature creates laws, the executive implements them, and the court decides on
cases and disputes.
Different states have different types of governance, such as monarchy, democracy, and
dictatorship. Democracies make up the majority of developed countries. India, like many
other developing countries, has democratic governments. Whatever kind of government
is used, one thing is certain: without government, there can be no state.

4. Sovereignty: Sovereignty is the ability to control one’s own state’s sovereignty is by far
the most important characteristic. It is the feature that sets the state apart from all other
institutions. It refers to the ultimate power or authority over which there is no appeal.
Sovereignty means the power that a country has to control its own government . It
means countries get to control what happens inside their borders and can’t interfere in
what happens elsewhere. This protects countries from being invaded over internal
matters

Internal and external components of sovereignty exist. Internally, the state wields
absolute control over all persons and organisations inside its defined territory. It has the
power to compel people to obey its laws and commands. Externally, the state is
independent and not in control of any foreign power. India was not a state before
independence since it was ruled by the British.

Similarly, the Indian federation is made up of several component entities referred to as

“states,” but they are not states in international law since they are not sovereign.
Similarly, because it is not sovereign, the United Nations (UN) is not a state.

Theories Of State
State is very important institutions which is the main subject
Matter of the study of political science. It is the most powerful institution in which man
leads his life. It is a sovereign institution. There is very important question about the
nature,
origin functions and jurisdiction of the state. Various theories have been given in this
regard.
Some of the theories are as under.

Divine Theory
According to the Divine Theory, state is established and governed by God or some
super human power or the King as his agent and the religious scriptures. As God
created the animals, plants, trees, rivers, hills and other inanimate objects, the God also
created the state for a particular end in view, that is, peace, protection and preservation
of creatures on this earth. This theory found support from political thinkers such as
James I (1566-1625) and Sir Robert Filmer (1588-1653).

Force Theory
The force theory says that force is the basis of the origin and
Development of the state ,only a powerful person can be ruler of the state It is said that
the
first ruler of the state is the most powerful person.

Organic Theory:
This theory believes that state is evolutionary institutions and is the result of long
evolutionary process in which number of factors took place. Man is important part of the
state. State is in fact the group of man who live together in organic unity to make state.

Idealistic Theory:- This supporters of this theory like Plato says that state is a moral
institution and the purpose of the state is the moral development of the man. The best
ruler of the state has most effective moral impact on his people. They regard state as
ultimate authority.

Individualistic Theory: - Those who support this theory argue that man is prior to state.
State is for man and man is not for state. They believe in capabilities, capacities and
rights and dignities of the man. They believe the state should promoter and develop
man’s capabilities and capacities

4.Social Contract Theory:- Social Compact Theory:- This is the most popular, scientific
and acceptable theory about the origin of the state. Although this theory had its roots in
ancient political thinking but it was developed in 15th and 16thcentury by three main
political thinkers i.e. Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau. Hobbes and Locke were British
Political thinkers while Rousseau was French Political thinker. Social contract theorist
argues that state is the result of a contract among the people. It is neither a divine
institutions nor it is evolved. They say before the state there was a natural state which
had certain problems and there was no central authority to overcome those problems.
There was no authority to make rules and implement and adjudicate rules. Hobbes,
Locks and Rousseau explained this theory on following states. All these three thinkers
agreed that state is the result of contract but they differed in nature of natural state (Pre
natural State), nature of agreement, nature of man and nature of Government.

Concept of Muslim State:- (Islamic Concept Of State) The Islamic State is based on the
unity of God. It is based on teachings of Prophet Mohammad and tenants of shariat Law
given in Quran. In Muslim state Khalifa holds the top position as ruler who is the
representative of God. The early Islamic state was based on the idea of unity of God,
equality of all and freedom of individuals. The Islamic State of
Madina was democratic in character which was later on replaced by hereditary
monarchy with divine lights of the King. In 9991030 AP Sultan Mohammed of Ghazine
was an absolute autocrat. It was declared that the Islamic State is a Government of the
Muslims by the Muslims and for the Muslims. It is based on one holy Quran, one
sovereign Iman and one nation Muslim brotherhood. The Sultanate of Delhi was
declared as Islamic State which undergone changes in different periods like Mughal
Period and the post Mughal Periods. The bank features of a Muslim state remained.

1.Teachings of Mohammad
2.Quran
3.Shareat Law
4.Divine basis of the State
5.Muslim Brotherhood
6.Despotic Rulers
7.Muslim state had also different elements like Fort, Treasurer, Army, Advisors as
ministers, foreign affairs and Ulma (Interpreted Quran)
8.There is no place for Secularism