Category: Concept Of The State In Political Theory And International Relations

We argue that international recognition is also one of the essential elements of the state. International recognition refers to the formal recognition of the sovereignty of the State in question by international organizations and other States. In this context, we may recall the process of de-colonization and formal recognition of independent states. The UN Committee… Continue reading International recognition

Constitution Going by the near-universal existence of a constitution for each country as a defining formal document of the rights and duties of the people, the power and limitations of government and as the source of all coercive power that the modern State exercises or threatens to exercise, we would like to argue that a… Continue reading Certain Considerations on the Elements of the State

Generally, four constituent elements of the State are considered essential—population, territory, government and sovereignty. Understanding the State in terms of these elements makes it possible to differentiate states from stateless societies. Population For organizing political and civic life, the State should have people to act upon. However, a population is only one of the requirements… Continue reading Elements of the State

A definition of the State, thus, would be in terms of either: (i) the State as a concept having identifiable elements and characteristics (people, territory, government and supreme authority); (ii) forms and stages in evolution (city-state, nation-state, etc.); or (iii) the State as an idea having moral and teleological end. As such, definitions of what… Continue reading Defining the State in Terms of ‘Concept’ and ‘Idea’

It may not be inappropriate to look at the State as a concept with its characteristic elements (people, territory, government and supreme authority) and varied forms on the one hand, and as an idea of an ultimate, perfect political and civic association of human life on the other. The idea of the State is different… Continue reading Idea of the State

The State, as a power separate from society, did not exist from the beginning of human history. It might have emerged either as a specific way of organizing civic and public activities by groups of people with similar allegiance, habitation, leadership and resources at command or as a specific agency to work for the powerful… Continue reading Concept of the State

The concept of the State has received different treatment by different political thinkers. Some glorify it, some denigrate and reject it, some seek to restrict its role and functions and some make it central to the goal of public welfare. The Organic-Idealist school of thinkers (Plato, Aristotle, W. F. Hegel, T. H. Green, Bluntschli, etc.)… Continue reading Concept and Idea of the State

Have you ever wondered why we pay taxes, drive on the left, do not smoke or drink alcohol in public places? For that matter, why do we expect that some entity would provide reservations in jobs, cheaper petrol, diesel, food, electricity and fertilizers to the people? Furthermore, why do we assume that the safety and… Continue reading Introduction