STATE

1. Meaning of state

2. Elements or attributes of a state

3. Functions of a state

4. Evolutionary theory of state

 DEFINITION OF STATE
State is a necessary and a universal institution, and is the
fundamental subject of Political Science. The term ‘state’ is not to be
confused with nation, society, government etc. In effect, there are so
many definitions of state that a political scientist sometimes finds
himself/herself in the maze of numerous conflicting ideas and
viewpoints with respect to the meaning of state. In most ordinary
sense, a state is a central government, ruling over a population and a
territory that represents and protects that population in
international politics. This viewpoint can be substantiated by the
definition of state given by Professor Garner. According to him, “The
state as a concept of political science and public law is a community
of persons, more or less numerous, permanently occupying a
definite portion of territory, independently or so, of external control
and possessing an organized government to which the great body of
inhabitants render habitual obedience”
The above definition can be regarded as one of the best. Thus, in brief, it
can be summed up, “state can be defined as an organized people living
in a definite territory which has its own sovereign government”.

Elements or attributes of a state

There are four essential elements of a state. They are : population,

territory, government and sovereignty. They are discussed below:

Population : Population assumes importance for two reasons. First, the

state is a human institution and a product of man’s gregarious nature
and the result of necessities of human life. Second, population and land
are the starting point of any study of man in his organized groups. It is
the people who make the state, without them there can be no state. But
population must be large enough to make a state and sustain it. The
members of one single family do not make a state, there should be a
series of families. No limit, however, can be placed on the number of
people constituting the state. Difference in population, other things
remaining the same, do not make any difference in the nature of the
state, although opinions as to its size have varied from time to time.
Territory : Territoriality that originated as a Westphalian concept is
an essential element of a state. All authorities on International Law
now agree that a fixed territory must be a condition of statehood.
Living together on a common land wields the people in a community
of interests and it is a powerful incentive to fellow-feeling. Love for
the territory inculcates the spirit of patriotism, which has been
described in all ages and stages as a supreme virtue of man. Some
reverentially call their country ‘ motherland’ while others call it
‘fatherland’ and they invoke his/her blessings and vow to safeguard
its territorial integrity. Territorial integrity of the state is the most
cherished sentiment of oneness and the object of patriotism and
both together for its permanent existence.

Government : The purpose for which the people live together cannot
be realized unless they are properly organized and accept certain
rules of conduct. The agency created to enforce such rules of
conduct and to ensure obedience is called government. Government
is the focus of the common purpose of the people occupying a
definite territory and it is through this medium that common policies
are determined, common affairs are regulated and common
interests promoted. Without government, the condition of a state
will be like a ship without a radar with no direction for social
cohesion and collective action.
Sovereignty : Sovereignty of a state is its most essential and
distinguishable feature. A people inhabiting a definite portion
of territory and having a government do not constitute a state.
They must be internally supreme and free from external
control. Sovereignty of the state has two aspects, internal
sovereignty and external sovereignty. Internal sovereignty is
the state’s monopoly of authority inside its boundaries.
External sovereignty indicates that each state is independent
of other states and that no outside state has any authority
over any other state.
 The functions of a state are both compulsory and voluntary. They are discussed
below:
A : Compulsory functions of a state
(1) Defense against foreign attack : The most urgent function of a state is
defense of the country against foreign attack. It has to make adequate
preparations in the form of weapons as land, sea and air forces. It has to
take special notice of things which can create danger of attack from other
countries.
(2) Internal Peace and Security : The policy of a state at home is quite important
as its foreign policy. It is the prime duty of the state to maintain internal
peace and security.
 An increase in communal riots, thefts, cases of robbery and dacoity and rebellion can
endanger the existence of the state itself. The state maintains peace and order through
police and army.
(3)Protection of the Rights of Citizens : In every state, the citizens possess certain rights
like rights to life, property, freedom of thought etc. It is incumbent upon the state to
protect these rights, drawn mostly from the UNDHR (Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, 1948). For attaining this goal, the state has to formulate essential laws, arrange
for proper administration and organize justice.
(4)Justice : Justice is a compulsory function of a state. This provides for obedience of
laws in the state, maintains order and protects the rights of everyone.
B. Voluntary functions of a state
) Education: In the modern age, all states consider it their duty to make adequate
arrangement for the education of their citizens. A state of uneducated citizens can never
progress. Thus the state makes arrangement for primary schools, colleges and universities
so that higher education in science, agriculture and the humanities may become possible.
Arrangements are made for adjoining research, research centers, libraries, zoos, store
houses and art classes etc. Efforts are made to provide free primary education. Capable
students are awarded scholarship by the state. But the state should avoid unnecessary
interference in educational centers.
) Health: Along with education, modern states try to provide for the protection of health.
Provision is made for sanitation, hospitals, free medicine, vaccination and essential
energizing foods for the poor. Medical colleges are opened to end the dearth of capable
doctors. Government research centers and training schools for nurses are opened.
) Protection of the old, poor and invalid: Modern states have also begun making
arrangements for the old, unemployed people who are given pension. The facility of
insurance insures he security of everyone. Orphanages and homes for the destitute are
created.
(4)Arrangement of public welfare services: The state organizes for the railways, postal and
telegraphic facilities. It is the duty of the state to make arrangements for means of
transportation such as buses, railways, air service and ships etc.
(5)Social and economic development: Another of state’s duties is to guarantee social and
economic improvement. The state lays down laws against harmful customs and makes
necessary arrangements for their enforcement.
(6)Encouraging trade and industry: It is also the duty of the state to encourage trade and
industry and to develop it as well. Almost everywhere in the world, it is the state which
controls economic system and the mint. It is the state which standardizes the scales of
measurement and weighing. The country cannot benefit by international trade if it does not
make the proper laws for import and export. The state should establish factories of the key
industries in order to implement and initiate other industries in the country.
(7)Organization of labour: The state should direct its efforts to the
implementation of conditions of labourers and lay down rules to obviate the
probability of their exploitation. It is the responsibility of the state to make
efforts towards labour welfare.
(8)Proper use of natural resources of the country : A country can become
powerful by land, forests , rivers, minerals and agricultural products.
Maximum benefit should be extracted from them. On this subject, the state
should direct the necessary precautionary measures, research and search for
new material products and lay down laws for the utilization of forests,
mines, land etc. in a sustainable manner.
(9)Arrangement of recreation: In order to maintain the novelty and
excitement in life of the public, the state should provide means for
recreation. For this, film societies, dramatic societies etc. should be
encouraged.
 (10)Environmental protection:The state should undertake developmental activities
not at the cost of environment. Care should be taken that development, in whatever
sector it takes place should be in a sustainable manner so as not to damage the
environment and as well the rights of the future generation.

References :

1. Introduction to International Relations by Robert Jackson and George Sorensen.

2. Principles of Political Science by A C Kapur
3. Principles and Theory of Political Science by Urmila Sharma and S K Sharma
4. International Relations : Conflict and Cooperation at the Turn of the 21 st Century by
Conway W Henderson.

General Reading
Political Science : An Introduction by Michael G Roskin, Robert L Cord, James a
Medeiros and Walter S Jones.
 THE
EVOLUTIONARY
THEORY OF THE
ORIGIN OF STATE