Introduction to Politics

lecturer: lecturer: Mukhtar Abdalla Nor ( Raakici )Mukhtar Abdalla Nor ( Raakici )

• 2.1 Definition

• 2.2 Elements

• 2.3 State and society

• 2.4 State and nation

• 2.5 State and Government.

UNIT 2UNIT 2THE STATE AND IT IS ELEMENTTHE STATE AND IT IS ELEMENT

The modern term “statestate” is derived from the word “status”. It was Niccolo Machiavelli ( 1469 – 1527) who first used the term “state” in his writings. His important work is titled as “Prince”.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Definitions Definitions

• Definitions Definitions :The state is the most universal and most powerful ofall social institutions. The state is a natural institution.Aristotle said man is a social animal and by nature he is apolitical being. To him, to live in the state and to be a man

were identical.

The state is the highest form of human association. Itis necessary because it comes into existence out of the basic needs of life. It continues to remain for the sake of good life To Woodrow Wilson, “State is a people organizedfor law within a definite territory.”Aristotle defined the state as a “union of familiesand villages having for its end a perfect and self – sufficinglife by which it meant a happy and good life”. Burgess defines the state as “a particular portion of mankind viewed as an organized unit.”

Definitions Definitions

According to Sidgwick. “State is a combination orassociation of persons in the form of government and governed and united together into a politically organizedpeople of a definite territory.”According to Garner, “State is a community of people live in a definite form of territory free of external control and possessing an organized government to which people show habitual agreement.”Prof. Laski defines “state as a territorial society divided into government and subjects whose relationships are determined by the exercise of supreme coercive power.”

Definitions Definitions

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

From the above definitions, it is clear that the following are the elements of the state :-the elements of the state :-

Physical bases of the State1. PopulationPopulation2. TerritoryTerritoryPolitical bases of the State1. GovernmentGovernment2. SovereigntySovereignty

Population Territory Government Population Territory Government SovereigntySovereignty

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

PopulationPopulationIt is the people who make the state. Population is essential for the state. Greek thinkers were of the view that the population should neither be too big nor too small. According to PlatoPlato the ideal number would be 5040.According to AristotleAristotle, the number should be neither too large nor too small. It should be large enough to be self sufficing and small enough to be well governed.

Greek thinkers like Plato and Aristotle thinking on the number was based on small city – states like AthensAthens and SpartaSparta. Modern states vary in population. India has a population of 102,70,15,247 people according to 2001 census.

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

TerritoryTerritoryThere can be no state without a fixed territory. Peopleneed territory to live and organize themselves socially andpolitically. It may be remembered that the territory of the state includes land, water and air – spaceland, water and air – space.The modern states differ in their sizes. Territory isnecessary for citizenship. As in the case of population, no definite size with regard to extent of area of the state can be fixed. There are small and big states.

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

Prof. Elliott “territorial sovereigntyterritorial sovereigntyor the Superiority of state overall within its boundaries and complete freedom from external control has been a fundamental principle of the modern state life”. India has an area of 32,87,263 sq. km. Approximately India occupies 2.4% of the global area.

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

Government : Government : Government is the third element of the state. There can be no state without government. Government is the working agency of the state. It is the political organization of the state.Prof. Appadorai defined government as the agencythrough which the force of the State is formulated, expressed and realized.According to C.F. Strong, in order to make and enforcelaws the state must have highest authority. This is called the GovernmentGovernment.

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

Sovereignty :Sovereignty : The fourth essential element of the state is sovereignty.The word ”sovereigntysovereignty” means supreme and final legal authority above and beyond which no legal power existsSovereignty has two aspects :1) 1) Internal sovereigntyInternal sovereignty2) 2) External sovereigntyExternal sovereigntyInternal sovereignty means that the State is supremeover all its citizens, and associations.External sovereignty means that the state isindependent and free from foreign or outside control.

THE ELEMENTS OF STATE THE ELEMENTS OF STATE

Chart showing the outermost and the Chart showing the outermost and the innermost of the Stateinnermost of the State

politicsstate

government

State and SocietyState and SocietyThe society consists of a large number of individuals,families, group and institutions. The early political thinkersconsidered both state and society as one. State is a part of society but is not a form of society.NO State Society

1 State came into existence after the origin of the society

Society is prior to the state.

2 The scope of the state is limited. The scope of society is much wider.

3 State has fixed territory Society has no fixed territory

4 State is a political organization. Society is a social organization.

5 The state has power to enforce laws. Society has no power to enforce laws.

Differences between state and society :Differences between state and society :

State and Nation:State and Nation:The word “nation” is derived from the Latin word “natio” hich means birth or race. The terms nation and state are used as synonym.

Differences between State and Nation :Differences between State and Nation :

No State Nation1 Existed not only at present

but also in theancient period

Modern phenomenon or occurrence

2 It is legal political It is ethnic cultural

3 People organized for law within a definite territory.

People psychologically joined together with common will tolive together

4 A state must be sovereign. People continue as a nation even if they do not remainSovereign

5 Inhabited (populated) by heterogeneous groups of people

Inhabited (populated) by homogeneous groups of people.

Thus the distinction between the state and Thus the distinction between the state and nation in clear. See the table below.nation in clear. See the table below.

State and Government:State and Government:Government is often used with the ‘state’ as synonym. But both the government and the state are two different entities (unities). There are differences between the statestate and the governmentgovernment. They are explained in the table given below

Differences between State and Government :Differences between State and Government :

No

State GovernmentGovernment

1 State consists of population, territory, government and sovereignty.

Government is part of the state

2 State possesses original powers. Powers of the government are derived from the state

3 State is permanent and continues forever.

Government is temporary It may come and go.

4 State is abstract and invisible. Government is concreteand is visible.

Differences between State and Government :Differences between State and Government :

Branches of governmentBranches of government

Legislature Executive Judiciary

Branches of governmentBranches of government

Executive: Executive: It is one of the three branches of government as givenabove. State functions through the executive, the namely the government. It is the duty of the executive or enforcethe laws passed by the legislature. The executive who exercise real power is the real executive. The executive who has nominal power is the normal executive.

Branches of governmentBranches of government

1. Enforcing law2. Maintaining peace and order.3. Repelling aggression (violence).4. Building friendly relations with other states5. When necessary to wage war to protect the country.6. Making appointments to higher posts.7. Raising money and spending them.8. Convening the sessions of the legislature and conducting business.9. Issues ordinances whenever the legislature is to in session.

Powers and functions of executive arePowers and functions of executive are

10. Implement schemes and projects to improve he social and economic conditions of the people.11. Power to grant pardon, reprieve or remission of punishment.LegislatureLegislatureThe legislature is the law making branch. The legislaturehas an important role in the adjustment of the constitution. The legislature is a deliberative body where body where matters of social, economic and political concerns are matters of social, economic and political concerns are discussed, debated and decided.discussed, debated and decided.

JudiciaryJudiciary

Judiciary: Judiciary: Judiciary is the third important organ of the governmentMachinery (equipment). Its main function is to interrupter laws and administer justice.Functions of Judiciary:Functions of Judiciary:1. Administration of justice.2. To determine what is law and what is the cope (deal with ) and meaning of it.3. To give advisory opinion on matters referred to it. 4. To issue orders or writs for the purpose of preventing violation of rights and laws.5. To acts as guardian of the constitution

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