cThe social contractualist doctrine of Hobbes and Locke can be treated as advocacy of early liberalism. Hobbes’s man is competitive, egoist, self-interested and is rational insofar as his safety and well-being is concerned. Further, the basis of the State is consent of the individuals through their social contract. If liberalism is about individualism, freedom and… Continue reading Thomas Hobbes and John Locke: Theorists of the Possessive Individual
Month: January 2023
Negative Liberalism and Theory of Laissez-Faire State
Philosophical and political roots of negative liberalism can be traced in the social contract theory of Hobbes and Locke. Subsequently, it was developed, revised and amplified by Bentham and J. S. Mill’s utilitarianism, Spencer’s ‘survival of the fittest’ doctrine, Paine’s doctrine of State as a ‘necessary evil’ and others. On the economic front, the Physiocrats,… Continue reading Negative Liberalism and Theory of Laissez-Faire State
Liberal and Neo-Liberal Theories
Let us treat liberalism as ‘an ideology based on a commitment to individualism, freedom, toleration and consent.1 The liberal theory of the role, its functions and the nature of state power would invariably focus on: Within this broad focus, however, along with the changing notion of individual liberty and freedom, the liberal tradition has journeyed… Continue reading Liberal and Neo-Liberal Theories
Introduction
We propose to deal with the roles and functions of the State, and the nature of state power. This also involves examining the relationship of the State with the society on one hand and the individual on the other. We will also discuss the relationship between the core principles of right, liberty, freedom, justice and… Continue reading Introduction
Idealistic Theory
The Idealist view of the State draws on the tradition of philosophical idealism, a search for ideal destiny or moral end. It idealizes the State and glorifies it as the epitome of human destiny. The State is an end itself. It has its teleos, final purpose. And this final purpose is the destiny of human being… Continue reading Idealistic Theory
Juridical Theory: The State as Law Giver
Juridical theory views the State in legal terms. It treats the State as an organ for creation of law and then for protection of legal rights of individuals and associations prescribed under the law. The State is treated as the repository of legal power, sovereignty by virtue of which it prescribes laws and ensures protection… Continue reading Juridical Theory: The State as Law Giver
Organismic Theory: The State as Organism
The Organismic or organic view treats ‘the State as real person’, as if it is analogous to a living organism with similar functions. The Greeks hit upon the idea of the State as an organism. According to Wayper, this was to seek an answer to the question: ‘What is the State and why do men… Continue reading Organismic Theory: The State as Organism
How is the State Viewed?
Various streams of thoughts view the State differently—‘organism or biological personality’, ‘juristic personality’, or ‘in terms of its teleos or final purpose’, or ‘artificial contrivance’ or a ‘class instrument’, etc. The idealists and organic theorists exalt the State as moral and spiritual; the social contractualists and the utilitarians as useful instrument for human beings for… Continue reading How is the State Viewed?
Critical evaluation of Marxian theory
The Marxian theory of the origin of the State is historical and materialistic. It is historical because it traces the origin of the State at a particular stage in history as a result of origin of opposing classes. It is materialistic because the State with its force, and anything political, is treated as a reflection… Continue reading Critical evaluation of Marxian theory
Marxian (Class) Theory of Origin of the State
Marx did not dwell much on the origin of the State and did not develop any systematic or coherent theory of the state.87 This is attributed to his main concern with political economy rather than politics and the state.88 What has come to be identified as Marxian or Class theory of origin of the State draws… Continue reading Marxian (Class) Theory of Origin of the State