Category: Perspectives And Theories On The Origin Of The State

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 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

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

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?

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

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

Development of science in the field of means of warfare, communication and production has been found to help in strengthening the organized power of state. MacIver also hints that scientific inventions such as gunpowder and the printing press affected distribution of power and strengthened the state. Means of communication has helped the state evolve better… Continue reading Development of Science

MacIver in his, The Modern State, observes that growth of wealth led to emergence of big cities and towns. This, in turn, resulted in trade, commerce, industries and other economic activities. These economic changes also impacted social ties and family bonds. Increasingly, city-based and non-family bonds started getting importance. The city and the urban area emerged… Continue reading Urbanization

Nationality, as Garner says, ‘is employed to designate a group or portion of the population which is united by racial or other bonds’.83 Lord Bryce, whom Garner cites, includes language and literature, ideas, customs and traditions in this category of bonds or ties—cultural and psychological bonds. It is possible that nationality, at times, can become the… Continue reading Nationality and race

If we accept that need for an organized authority contributed in the emergence of the state, then relationship between the people and the organized authority of the State needs to be defined. It is possible that in early history, loyalty might have been due to tribal or clan or religious affiliations. Due to forced subjection,… Continue reading Citizenship