Social contract refers to some type of covenant or collective understanding amongst the people in general. It is differentiated from any written legal contract. The Social Contract theory attributes the idea of authority to contract between the people. Though earlier, Cicero, Althusius and Grotius had hinted at social contract as the basis of authority, it… Continue reading Social Contract Theory
Month: January 2023
Liberal Theories of Origin of the State
The Force theory and the divine origin theory both attribute the origin of the State to one of the factors—force or divine dispensation. They are as such mono-causal theories of origin of the State. While one highlights the domination–submission aspect of human relationship, the other bases itself on religious justification. These theories fail to give any… Continue reading Liberal Theories of Origin of the State
Kautilaya’s Arthasastra on Origin of the State
Kautilaya’s Arthasastra primarily relates to political economy and statecraft. However, it also mentions how kingship or monarchy came into being. It hints at some type of conscious decision on the part of the people to institute Manu, the son of Vivasvat as the king. Kautilaya locates the origin of monarchy as a result of what he calls matsyanyaya. Matsyanyaya implies an anarchic situation… Continue reading Kautilaya’s Arthasastra on Origin of the State
Theory of the Divine Origin of the State
The theory of divine origin, considered one of the oldest theories of the origin of authority, covers two related arguments. One relates to the theory of divine origin of kingship as the sole authority of the State in general and the other relates to the theory of divine rights of the kings as a justification… Continue reading Theory of the Divine Origin of the State
Force Theory of the Origin of the State
chVoltaire’s remark that ‘The first King was a fortunate warrior’ exemplifies the notion that a superior force must be behind the origin of the State. Force theory typically implies that the origin of the State is found in the subjugation of the weak by the stronger. In the primitive stage of evolution, physically stronger people must have… Continue reading Force Theory of the Origin of the State
How did the State Originate?
Political thinkers and analysts have differed about the factors and circumstances that are responsible for the origin of the State. Some attribute it to force, some to a divine dispensation and some to historical and social factors, including social contract by the people living in the state of nature or origin of classes and ownership… Continue reading How did the State Originate?
Introduction
We discussed the concept and elements of the State, and the evolution of the State to its present form—the nation-state. We will study the various perspectives and theories of the State by taking into account rival and contested approaches that seek to find out how and when the State originated, its nature, its sphere of… Continue reading Introduction
A Brief Note on the Evolution of the State in India
In the third century BCE, a great empire emerged under Chandragupta Maurya which covered almost all of present-day India (south India was not part of it) and even extended to Kabul in the north. During this period, Kautilaya is supposed to have written his treatise, the Arthásastra, (the ‘Science of Polity’), which dealt with statecraft and establishment,… Continue reading A Brief Note on the Evolution of the State in India
Reluctant States, Missing Nations and Shared Sovereignty: Nation-states in the Developing World
The growth and rise of the nation-state is neither uniform nor universal. As the nation-state was finding its feet in Europe, most parts of Asia and Africa were under some form of colonial rule. Historically speaking, the colonial power structure has played a dual role. On the one hand, it demarcated geographical boundaries of States… Continue reading Reluctant States, Missing Nations and Shared Sovereignty: Nation-states in the Developing World
Equality of nation-state
A nation-state interacts with other nation-states on the principle of equality and enjoys similar privileges and obligations towards each other. For peace and justice to prevail in the world, nation-states must be free and secure. These elements or characteristics present an ideal type of nation-state and we may compare specific nation-states with the formulation discussed.… Continue reading Equality of nation-state