| arermics "fhe state is the highest form of human association\(It is nec political Science: Theory and Thought potitca 2 53 INIT ION, MEANING, NATURE AND ELEMENTS Med 1. MEANING OF STATE is The State is the most universal and most powerful of all social institutions. The state Sa natural institution, Aristotle sald man is a social animal and by nature he is a political being. To him, to live in the state and to be a man were identical. The modern term “state” is derived from the word “status”. It was Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 — 1527) who first used the term “state” in his writings, State isa nucleus of Political S. aarnen, “Political cience: According to Dr, Science begins with the State”. Giate is an association and it means a nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government. State in another sense, the political organization that has supreme civil authority and political power and serves as the basis of government and a government or politically organized society having a particular character. 2. NECESSITY OF STATE sary Because it comes into existence out of the basic needs of lifQUt continues to remain for the sake of good lif}. (The aims, desires and aspirations of human beings are translated into action through the stat, Though the state is a necessary institution, no two writers agree on its definitios). There will be anarchy without the Stat). It is necessary for leading good life! Aristotle has rightly stated “The State comes in to existence out of the bare necessities of life and continues to exist for the sake of good life”DEFINITION OF STATE se the term “Stata”. They used the term “Poli Thus neither the Greeks nor the Romans used the word State. Niceolo Machiavelli an Italian politica, thinker was the first to use the word State in his classic work “ published in 1523 A.D. Prince’ The term “state” may means condition of health or economic condition) The term is sometimes loosely used by people to mean states of India, or “the United States of America”. Sometimes mean ‘nation’ or ‘society’ or ‘government’ or ‘counts}’. These uses of the term are not correct at all from the scientific point, of view. It has in fact, a specific meaning which is completely different from its various uses noted above. Different scholars have defined state diffidently according to their individual view point}Some ofthe important definitions of Ue see are mentioned below Aristotle defined it as “A Union of Families and Villages having for its end a perfect and self-sufficing life by which we mean a happy and honorable life”. Woodrow Wilson defines “state as a group of people organized for law within a definite territory.” Bairgess defines state as “a particular portion of mankind viewed as ‘organized unity.” Bluntschil says that “the state is a combination or association of form of Government and governed, united men in the | on a definite territory together personality, more shortly into a moral organized masculine Person of definite territory.” Pyof Laski defines state as “a territorial society divided into | science: Theory and Thought 7 a ent and subjects claiming with its allotted physical area of Tot tne VW that the sate as a concept of poliical eclen&? and essing an organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience It is considered to be the best definition of the state. It con be summed up as “the state 1s a collection of human beings upying a definite territory under an organized government and is subject to no outside control.” {fre above mentioned definitions of a state or elements. They are- (a) population, (b) territory, (c) organization or government and (d) sovereignty. A state cannot be formed at all in the absence to any one of these characteristics. } 4. ELEMENTS OF STATE reveal four characteristics 4.1. Population (The most basic characteristic ofthe state is populatio n) (As a human. organization the state cannot be formed without some peopld\/A not live cannot be regarded as a popula For an ideal state, it should be should be 10,000 minimum and 1 the maximum and minimum 5,000 and Aristotle thinks that it 00,000 maximum) In mode: size of Prescribed, It means that there is no hard of the population of the state.)in fact, m times, Population has not been and fast rule about the size Population varies from few pp > aR DPD ae 4 ~ nm= ag | thousands as in case of Monacol, Guatemala and Leech Tenstey 9p the millions asin China and India, Although the mextern tendon in favour of large population of state, itis unwise to have, a Jarge population when its resources are scarce 4.2. Territory fhe second characteristic of the state is territory oF a fn : eographical area on the eart/In the absence ofa fied terston, | state cannot be constituted. |As for example, the nomadie tribes ji Gipsies and others cannot form a state of their own owing to a absence of a fixed territory, to reside in,} Similarly, the Jews did not from a state till, they definitely seta down in Israel in 1948. Like population, there is no limit set for ty territory of a state, It may vary from a few square miles as in th case of Monacol and few million square miles as in the Soviet Unioa and the United States, In the modern world today, small states «| well as big states exist. From the administrative, point of view smal states are always better than big states but from the point of view al defence, they are not good all. 4.3. Government {The state must possess an organized Government. fit is th machinery through which the state must exercise its suprem power) fe constitutes the brain of the staté] A state cannot be thought of without some sort of Government, Phe state performs its various functions through the Government |. W"Gamer says, Government the agency or machinery through which common policies determined and by which common affairs are regulated ani neory and Thought 5 ga. sovereignty Fe fourth and the most important element, or characteristic of the ( vereignt). Goverlgnty means supreme power oF ultmnee Shorty against which there can be no appeal) Externally, the state aims final and absolute authority is independent of any foreign ‘controll faternally, the state is supreme over all of its citizens and sodations within its jurisdiction) @ll the individual within the fate must submit to its will obedient) sovereignty has to aspects: Internal sovereignty means that the Sate Is supreme over all its citizens, and associations. Extemal sovereignty means that the state is independent and free from (rag oF SatsIde Omir. According, to Harold J. Laski, “It is by fassession of sovereignty that the state is distinguished from all other forms of human association, Characteristics of sovereignty: (1) Absoluteness/There can be no Sieointencssi/ legal power within the state superior to rand there can be no legal Iimitto the supreme law-making, power of stata) vwernatity. 0) Universality: The sovereignty of the state extends over every Frnon and every association of persons in the stata) 0) Permanence: fhe sovereignty ofthe state continues as long asthe ste itself exists) Only by the destruction of the state sovereignty be destroyed. ( Indivistbitf: There can be one sovereignty in the state Ko Aivide sovereignty is to destroy it. The exercise of its power may be “stributed among various governmental organs but the sovereignty ‘Saunt just as the state isa unit) 5. NATURE OR CHARACTERISTICS OF STATE + Unity: Unity is the state of different areas or groups being joined38 Political Science: Theory and Thought together to form a single sntry or organization here is Support for economic unity in trade and industry to promote growth and prosperity) hen there is unity, people are in agreement and. act together for a particular purpose) b. Comprehensiveness: The state of being complete and entire; having everything that is needed < Continuity: Property of a transition between two states of matter, ‘as between gas and liquid, during which there are no abrupt changes in physical properties. 4. Equality: The doctrine of equality of states means one thing in legal effect, but it also must be reflected against the realities imposed by differences in political power. Political equality is in some sense a because in political terms few states are equals. fiction, e. International Recognition: According to International Law, Recognition is the formal acknowledgment of the status of an independent State by other existing states. States are considered a the principal persons in International Law. The recognition of a state is often a political act of a state. 6. STATE IN COMPARISON WITH GOVERNMENT ough the two terms state and government are commonly used Althi there is a difference between them. Government refers as synonyms, to the group of authorized peo) a type of political entity. State refers to the organized living under a single system of government. ple who governs a country or a state, A state is political community which a state or community is A government is the system by wl ith the controlled. Government also refers to the group of people w: authority to govern a country or state at a given time. Governments exist at national, regional and local level but, local governments art vet aws, and arbitrating conflicts, Governments can be categorized into several types. republic are some common types of 8 the government does not change often, and the people in power are self-perpetuating or hereditary class. In democracies, the positions of power are filled by representatives elected by people. Government is not permanent; it is temporary. The death of a ruler Democracy, republic, monarchy, democratic jovernments. In monarchies, or defeat in the general election can overthrow a government ‘The main difference between state and government is that the government refers to a particular group of people who control the state at a given time whereas the state is an organized political community. Basically, the state power is employed through the government. Although a state is an immaterial and nonphysical ‘social object, unlike governments, it is permanent. The main difference between state and government is that state is more or less permanent whereas government is temporary. The death of a ruler ora defeat at an election can change the government. 6.1. Difference between State and Government Definition: State is an organized political community that lives under a single system of government. Government is the system by which a state or community is controlled. Permanency: State 'y: State is more or less permanent. Governments are temporary Conce| ‘oncept: State refers to a political entity that is immaterial and non- +hysical. Governme: Physical. Government generally refers to a group of people.“ Political Science: Theory and Thowshy Power Relation: State employs its power through the government, Government controls the state at a given time, Some of the main differences between state and government are as follows: 1. Government is only an element of the state: A State has four Territory, Government and Government is only one element of the State. It is just essential elements— Population, Sovereignty fone part of the State which acts for the state. 2. Government is an Agency or Agent of the State: Government is an agency of the State. It acts for the state. It is that agency of the State which formulates the will of the state into laws, implements the laws of the state and ensures conformity to the laws of the state. Government exercises power and authority on behalf of the state. 3. State is Abstract, Government is Concrete: State is a concept, an idea or a name used to denote a community of persons living on @ definite territory and organised for the exercise of sovereignty. State cannot be seen. Government is made by the people of the State It is formed by the representatives of the people. It has a definite and defined organisation and form. It can be seen as a team of people exercising the power of the State. Jory and Thought 4. Government is organised only by 2 portion of the he whole population is a part of the St population of State: The whole por ror, people are citizens of the State. However, goverment i Le eee ean ee aie Ont eee ere rete act as representatives ofthe people, form the government Brie Sate Their number is limited to few hundred only. tn india coud £500 MP's and MLA’S represent the total population of round 110 crores and exercise the politcal power atthe centre and inall states of India, 5. Membership of a State is compulsory but not of Government: All people are citizens of the State. They together constitute the population of the State. Each one normally gets the membership (citizenship) of a state automatically right at the time of one's birth and continues to live life as such. However, membership of the government is not automatic. No one can be forced to become its part. Anyone can voluntarily seek an election, get elected as a representative of the people and become a part of the government ‘Only some persons form the government. . Sovereignty belongs to State and not to Government: Sovereignty is the hallmark of the State. It belongs to the State. The Sovernment exercises power on behalf of the State. It acts on the basis of the sovereignty of the State. Sovereignty is comprehensive, absolute, unlimited and all inclusive supreme power of the State The government exercises only well-defined and limited powers, 7. Territory belongs to the State: The State has soverei m Senership and jurisdiction over its territory entity and State is a territorial territory belongs to it. The government has the {Ponsibility to preserve, protect and defend the territory of the State, The laws made by the government are applicable to all partsof the territory of State but territory belongs to the State and noy 8. Every State has uniformly four essential element, however the forms and features of Government differ fru State to State: Each State has a uniform personality with its fou) Government elements Population, Territory, ang) Sovereignty. However, governments can be of different forms Parliamentary or Presidential, Unitary or Federal or a mixture « essential can be monarchical atic of these democratic or a dictatorship. The people can by choice change the fate exists independently ang A. government form of their government. But the has a uniform character. 9. State Permanent, Government is Temporary Governments come and go regularly. After every general election the government changes. It can also undergo a total change throug an election or even through a revolution. State is permanent. continuously lives so long as it continues to enjoy sovereigniy Independent India continues to live as a sovereign independent state since 1947. However, she has witnessed the rise and fall several governments at the national and state levels. i sory and Thowyy, 1 gtence: TEOTY post sovercigh ompulsor - - ~ Non-Sovereign Optional membership ry membership Not necessary fixed territory Necessary fixed territory Iisabstract It is concrete People cannotappose People can appose Itis within the state Govt. have different form eth ka | Essential component Allstatesare similar eS g Itisamaster Itisa servant 7, STATE IN COMPARISON WITH SOCIETY society is a comprehensive association of peaceful and willed qeations of men who join together for the fulfillment of their common objective. Besides this, for the fulfillment of his various needs an individual forms various associations, institutions and communities and all these are the components of the society 71. Difference between State and Society For analysing and understanding the distinction between State and Sox popularly defined as the sum total of social relations among people. ety, Iet us understand the meaning of Society. Society is Maclver says “Society is the web of social relationships.”Society is a human community whose members are bound by comprehensiv Social relations. Society includes all relati nships among its people and their gro their groups. Society is the focus of study of Sociology. Society is det “ i i 'y is defined as “a collection of individuals held together by nduriny i at ing relationship in pursuit of common ends.” The on the other hand, is defined as “a particular portion of aoa oarpaats bag aa .Ve INI N « Political Selonces Theory an Jed for th dp society politically on protection its common interests”, Thu: tn. a part of society is necessarily a political organization but society ts not The Sty 2. The society regulates all forms of social conduct, regulates only the external relationship of men in society, Whi State derives its strength mainly from laws, societies derive ity strength from traditions, customs and conversions. 3. The State possesses the power of coercion, Disobedience to its la is followed by punishment, Soctety, on other hand, does not enjoy the power of coercion, Disobedience (0 its rules may not be nent. Thus, the only basis of the followed by any physical punish authority of society is social customs, convention and_ morality bers by persuasion an Society secures the co-operation of its m not by coercion. The State alone possesses sovereignty, 4. The State is a territorial organization, It has well defined territory al area. The of its own, But society is not limited to any geograph Jews, for example, constitute a society as they are spread all over the ay, world. So is the case with the Hindu society or the Christian soe It has thus no territorial jurisdiction as the State always has. Its scope of various may over the entire world crossing the boundarie nations, Within a State, the people ies having different social traditions. Thus, society may be nay be organized into differ narrower or broader than the State. 5. The State is a compulsory organization, whereas, society is + voluntary organization. 6. Society is wider in scope than State: Society is a very broad and of human beings. It is formed by all comprehensive organisatic nomic, cultural, political, moral Be types of relations (social, at er nd develop among the peop! religious, and others) members of the society. As against thi who are Mawel wttulion OF organisation. tis concerned. pri of power in sociely, State constitutes the sovererg tha entee ope oreayatem of the Societ pows y 3 to State: Society is rooted in human nature. As 7, Society 8 P social animals people naturally enter into social relationships and the birth of society took place in the ea st penod form society State also has a very long history behind i ry. Th protecting, the social relationships is the need for law and order led everyone agrees, it came after the birth of soci to the birth of the State. State had its birth after the evolution of society into a territorially settled society of people. 8, State is a politically organised unity of the ps unity of people bound together in social relationships: Society includes both ople, Society is a natu organised and un-organised groups of people, their activities and relationships, It consists of the vast network of an relationships State is a politically organised society. community of people living on a definite portion of territory and characterised by thy exercise of sovereignty over the people. State is the organised political community of the people of a society 9. Government is the agency of the State; Society has no formal organised agent: State acts through its government. Government is the agent of the State. It exercises the sovereiy ty of the Si Society has no agent or agency. It is a self-regula 18 system of ‘whtionships, It functions naturally on the basis of its customs, Kaditions, usages and naturally evolved moral codes of conduct Society lacks a for L organisation, 10. Sovereignty belongs to State and not to Society: Sovereignty is the most ess essential property and the hallmark of the State, State alonei i Ta ———— Pr wer over all its citizens and their institutions, £ the Society. Society is a system of social relations I the mer 11. Territory belongs to State and not to the Society: State is territorial entity. Definite territory is an essential element of the State. Society has no territory. Even vagabond bound by social ties society, non-resident Indians who have got the jan society citizenships of other States continue to members of Indi ternal and external human 12. Society is concerned with both behaviour, State is concerned with external aspects of human behaviour: State is concerned with external human behaviour: Its laws lay down rules which regulate the external behaviour of the people and their groups, institutions, and organisations. State uses its coercive power on each such person/group/institution which commits any breach of law. In contrast, the society is concerned with human behaviour and relations in society. Socal and rules of morality cover all types of Jevels—individual, family, community all aspects of customs and traditions, social relations at all neighbourhood, regional and national. 413. Sociology studies Society and Political Science studies State From our point of view society i.e. social relations constitute the object of study in Sociology whereas State and political relations av the objects of study in of Political Science. Since all political relations and institutions are parts of the social system/society, Sociology also interested in these. State always works for securing laws, order and security in the Society. Its power regulates all social relations likewise soci relations always have a deep and big impact upon political rel customs Jations Caste groups, communities, religious groups, family, ; ays of social life, ethnic rel n Vk traditions: , one Factors of Politics. Hence, both State a nportan ipa related and yet quite different i ind Society have some State mye differences, the abo ihe State and society sometimes in jude practically as well : ewhelming ™: and in most cases, an ove be included in the same State Ip each other. Pro; a Hence, the ws of a society may members of y ty go hand in hand. They h » and Socie state and os of the state and the working of pends upon the propre’ society de} soetate is in influence by social customs and tradition. Barker has State and Society in the .e distinetion between the following words. “The Slate 1 one another. But roughly we may say that the are gummed up th nd society overlap, they blend, they borrow fro of the one is voluntary co-operation, its energy area of the othe y that of good will, its is that of method that of elasticity, while th mechanical action, its energy, forces, its method, rigidity Be Itis older Society: Itisnew 2. Wider scope Less scope 3... Fixed territory not essential Fixed territory is essential 4. Itisnon sovereign Itis sovereign Organisation optional Organisation compulsory 6, Related with internaland Related with externalaction externalaction 7. Ithas persuasive power Ithas supreme power pan ") andS232 NG — ce el ti lias Political Science: Theory and Thougy 8. STATE IN COMPARISON WITH ASSOCIATION State is the sovereign community of all the people who live in the territory of the state. Before or understanding the difference between } @ State and Association, let us first know the meaning o Association. An association is a voluntarily organised union of | Broup or institution of some people for securing a particular need or needs. Maclver writes: “An association is a group of individuals, who are organised to achieve a particular objective op some objectives.” Associations are of several types. There are | associations of the labour, trade, government employees and others There are economic associations e.g. trade unions, chambers of commerce and others. Each political party is also a political association. An association is a non-sovereign organisation of only some people. It is specially organised for serving a particular need ‘or some needs. Associations always work under the laws of their respective States. 8.1. Main Points of Distinction between the State and Association 1. State is the Sovereign organisation. Associations are Non- sovereign organisations of people: State possesses sovereignty. It has supreme power over the people. It can use force for securing compliance of the people to its laws and policies. All persons and ‘groups living in the territory of a State accept the sovereignty of the State and obey its laws. Any one refusing to do so is punished by the State, e. On the other hand, an association has no power to get its orders obeyed by force. It cannot use force against its members. If any member disobeys the mules of association, it can, at the most terminate the membership of the defaulting member. 2 The State has wider objectives and Association narrower ibyectives while an association has ana ‘the State has wider and limited objective. The State maintains peace \d order and long with it tries to promote economic, moral, cultural and social welfare of the people. State acts for the promotion of welfare of all its people. The scope of its functions is very vast. As against it, every association is organised to serve a limited set of objectives. Some associations have just one objective. Further each association is concerned only with the promotion of the interests of its members. 3. Citizenship of the State is Compulsory but membership of each Association is Voluntary: The membership of the State is compulsory. Each person becomes the citizen of his State right at the time of his birth and remains so all his life. If he ceases to be the citizen of a State, he has to become a citizen of another State. On the other hand, the membership of an association is voluntary. No one can be forced to become a member of an association. Anyone can withdraw from the membership of an association at any time 4. The State can impose Taxes, and not an Association. The State req revenue by imposing taxes upon the people. No person can refuse to es finances to run administration: It collects pay the taxes imposed by the State. If any person fails to do so, the State can use force to collect the taxes. An association also requires finances to fulfil its objectives, but it cannot impose any tax for this Purpose. An association can collect only membership fee or voluntary contributions. No association can use force for collecting, its funds or subscriptions 5. One person can become a member of only one State but of Several Associations: An individual can be, at one time a citizen of only one state. Normally he acquires this citizenship/membership bybirth, H r become a citizen of any other State te, he has to leave the citizenship of his Parent State. However, any person can become member of as many associations as he may deem fit, At a time he can be a member of an entertainment club, a religious association trade union and a political party. He is not required to leave the membership of one association for becoming a member other 6. State is essentially a sovereign territorial entity; an Association may or may not be territorial: Territory is an essential element of every State. Each State has a definite and fixed territory, While State is the sovereign institution of all the people, an organisation association is a voluntarily organised non-sovere Which always remains and works under the laws of the State ial for an association. Associations are mostly Territory is not essen non-territorial 7. Only one State but many Associations can be there in one sfinite territory only one State can live. When Territory: Within a d the territory of a state gets divided in two parts, two separate States come into existence. Two States in a single territory are inconceivable, Against this, several associations simultaneously exist in one territory at any given time. In fact, there are a large number of associations continuously working within the territory of each State. 8. The State is the national community of its people while Associations can be local, regional, national or international: The State has a national status. Each nation has a State. Associations can be local or national or regional and even international in Entertainment clubs are almost always local. The organisation. United Nations and International Red Cross Society art P The c ry and Thought tities! SCM a The State ermanent whereas associations always © ° is permanent and Associations are temporary s ome and go. me State iS F the ehiet clement of the State is its permanence. ‘The objectives ‘a State seeks to fulfil are never-ending objectives. ations are formed for the fulfilment of particular objectives These whet hese stay as Tong. as thes aring their objectives. Associations are often se continue to fulfil their objectives. get dissolved after se temporary. These can even get dissolved before accomplishing their objectives. Superior to all 10, The State as sovereign state is ‘Associations: The State is superior to all associations due to its sovereignty. Associations always function under the State. The State ‘can regulate and control the functioning of every association existing in its territory. Every association always exists and works on the basis of the laws of the State ‘Thus, there are several well-recognised differences between the State and an Association. State is the sovereign community of all the people who live in the territory of the state. An association is a non- sovereign organisation of only some people. It is specially organised for serving a particular need or some needs. Associations always work under the laws of their respective States.