State, Sovereignty, Goverment, Globalization
Unit – II: State
a) State: Meaning, Origin and Development
Introduction
The state is the central concept in political science. It is the highest form of political organization, possessing supreme authority over a territory and population. The modern state has emerged through a long historical process of social, economic, and political development.
Meaning of State
- Aristotle: “The state is a community of citizens for the sake of a good life.”
- Woodrow Wilson: “The state is an association of human beings organized for law within a definite territory.”
- Essential Elements:
- Population – people living together.
- Territory – definite geographical area.
- Government – political organization to enforce laws.
- Sovereignty – supreme power (internal & external).
Origin of State
Different theories explain how the state originated:
- Divine Origin Theory – State is created by God, king rules as God’s representative. (Medieval Europe, Manusmriti).
- Force Theory – State was created by conquest and force. (Machiavelli, Treitschke).
- Patriarchal & Matriarchal Theory – State developed from family institutions (Henry Maine).
- Social Contract Theory – State created by agreement among people (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau).
- Evolutionary Theory – State developed gradually from family → clan → tribe → chiefdom → kingdom → modern state.
👉 Among these, evolutionary theory is most accepted in modern times.
Development of State
- Ancient State: City-states of Greece (Athens, Sparta) and empires (Rome).
- Medieval State: Feudalism, monarchies, Church domination.
- Modern State: Emerged after Renaissance, Reformation, Industrial Revolution, French & American Revolutions. Features: sovereignty, nation-state, democracy, constitutionalism.
Conclusion
The state is not a static institution but a dynamic one that has evolved with human civilization. Its origin and development reflect the social, economic, and political needs of humankind.
b) State and Sovereignty
Introduction
Sovereignty is the most essential characteristic of the state. Without sovereignty, a state cannot exist. It means the supreme, final, and absolute authority in political life.
Meaning of Sovereignty
- Derived from Latin superanus (supreme).
- It is the absolute power of the state over its territory and people.
Definitions:
- Jean Bodin: Sovereignty is “the supreme power of the state over citizens and subjects, unrestrained by law.”
- Dicey: Sovereignty is the supreme law-making authority.
Types of Sovereignty
- Internal Sovereignty: Supreme authority within the state (law, government, administration).
- External Sovereignty: Independence in international relations (freedom from foreign control).
Theories of Sovereignty
- Monistic Theory: Sovereignty is indivisible (Austin: law-making power of sovereign is unlimited).
- Pluralistic Theory: Sovereignty is divisible; real power lies in multiple institutions (Laski, MacIver).
State and Sovereignty
- Sovereignty is the life-blood of the state.
- State is the body, sovereignty is its soul.
- Without sovereignty, a state becomes a colony or dependency.
Conclusion
State and sovereignty are inseparable. The modern state is recognized in international law only if it possesses sovereignty, both internal and external.
c) State and Government
Introduction
The terms state and government are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. The state is the larger, permanent institution, while the government is the machinery through which the state operates.
Difference between State and Government
| Basis | State | Government |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Permanent, sovereign institution | Temporary, changeable machinery |
| Scope | Wider – includes population, territory, sovereignty | Narrow – only administrative organ |
| Authority | Sovereignty is vested in the state | Exercises authority on behalf of the state |
| Continuity | Continuous and permanent | Subject to change (elections, revolutions) |
Relationship
- Government is the agent, state is the principal.
- State makes the constitution; government functions under it.
- Without government, state cannot act; without state, government has no authority.
Conclusion
State and government are distinct but interdependent. The government is the working organ of the state, and the state provides legitimacy to the government.
d) State and Globalization
Introduction
Globalization refers to the increasing interdependence of nations in terms of economy, culture, communication, and politics. In the age of globalization, the traditional sovereignty and role of the state are being challenged.
Impact of Globalization on the State
- Economic Globalization
- States no longer control their economies fully; IMF, World Bank, WTO influence national policies.
- Example: India’s economic liberalization (1991) under global pressures.
- Political Globalization
- Role of international organizations (UN, EU, ASEAN) reduces the absolute sovereignty of states.
- Human rights, democracy, and international law affect domestic policies.
- Cultural Globalization
- Media, internet, multinational companies spread global culture, affecting state’s role in cultural regulation.
- Security Dimension
- Terrorism, climate change, pandemics, cybercrime – challenges beyond borders – require cooperation of states.
Debate
- Hyper-globalists: State is weakening and losing sovereignty.
- Skeptics: State remains powerful; globalization is not new.
- Transformationalists: State is changing in nature, not disappearing.
Conclusion
Globalization has transformed the nature of the state. While sovereignty is no longer absolute, the state continues to play a vital role as regulator, protector, and mediator in the globalized world.
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