State
1. Introduction
The State is one of the most fundamental concepts in Political Science. It is the highest form of
political organization through which society is governed. Every individual lives within a state,
and almost every aspect of life—security, justice, education, economy, and welfare—is
influenced by it.
Political scientists have attempted to define the State in various ways, but all definitions
emphasize four essential elements: population, territory, government, and sovereignty.
2. Meaning of State
The word State is derived from the Latin word "Status," meaning condition or political standing.
In modern political science, the State refers to a politically organized community possessing
sovereignty over a defined territory. Some definitions of states given by different author are:
Aristotle: The State is an association of families and villages having for its end a perfect and self-
sufficing life."
Explanation
State exists to promote the highest good.
It is a natural institution.
Human beings attain their fullest development within the State.
Cicero: "The State is a multitude of men bound together by common interest and a sense of
justice."
Explanation
Justice is the basis of the State.
Common welfare is its objective.
Holland: A State is a numerous assemblage of human beings generally occupying a certain
territory amongst whom the will of the majority or a definite class is made to prevail against any
of their number who oppose it."
3. Types of states
Unitary State
Power is concentrated in the central government.
Local governments have only the powers the central government grants.
Examples: France, Japan.
Federal State
Power is shared between a national government and regional governments (states or
provinces).
Each level has constitutionally protected powers.
Examples: United States, India, Germany.
Confederation
A union of sovereign states that delegate limited powers to a central authority.
The member states retain most of their independence.
Historical example: Articles of Confederation (1781–1789).
Democratic State
Leaders are chosen through free and fair elections.
Citizens enjoy political rights and civil liberties.
Authoritarian State
Political power is concentrated in one leader or a small group.
Political freedoms and opposition are limited.
Monarchy
The head of state is a king or queen.
Can be:
o Absolute monarchy (the monarch has extensive powers).
o Constitutional monarchy (the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution).
Republic
The head of state is elected directly or indirectly rather than inheriting the position.
Many modern democracies are republics.
Theocratic State
Government is based on religious laws or led by religious authorities.
Example: Iran.
4. Whether india is a state?
1. Article 1(1) of the Constitution of India: "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of
States." This is the primary constitutional provision declaring the political structure of
India. It means that India is one sovereign nation composed of States (such as Punjab,
Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, etc.). The expression "Union of States" was deliberately
chosen by the Constituent Assembly to emphasize that the Union is indestructible, even
though the boundaries or names of the constituent States may be altered by Parliament.
2. The Preamble to the Constitution: The Preamble begins: "We, the People of India, having
solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic
Republic..." The word "Sovereign" signifies that India possesses supreme authority both
internally and externally and is not subject to any external power. This confirms India's
status as a sovereign State in international law.
3. Article 2 and Article 3
o Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit or establish new States into the Union.
o Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new States, alter areas, boundaries, or
names of existing States.
Why is India called a "Union of States" and not a "Federation"?
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar explained that the phrase "Union of States" was intentionally adopted
because:
The Indian federation was not the result of an agreement among independent States.
No State has the right to secede from the Union.
The Union is permanent and indestructible, although Parliament may reorganize State
boundaries under Article 3.
5. Nature of state
1. The State is a Political Organization
The State is primarily a political institution. It is created to regulate public affairs and exercise
political authority over people living within a definite territory. Unlike social or religious
organizations, the State possesses legal authority to make and enforce laws.
Features:
Exercises political power.
Maintains public order.
Protects national interests.
Frames and implements public policies.
Example:
The Government of India enacts laws through Parliament to regulate education, taxation,
defence, and public welfare.
2. The State is Sovereign
Sovereignty is the supreme and independent authority of the State.
It has two dimensions:
(a) Internal Sovereignty
The State exercises supreme authority over all individuals and institutions within its territory. No
person or organization is above the law.
(b) External Sovereignty
The State is independent of external control and conducts its own foreign policy.
Importance:
Ensures political independence.
Enables law-making.
Protects national security.
Example:
India independently signs international treaties and conducts diplomatic relations with other
countries.
3. The State Possesses Definite Territory
Every State has clearly defined geographical boundaries within which it exercises authority.
A territory includes:
Land
Rivers
Mountains
Airspace
Territorial waters
Maritime zones
Without territory, a State cannot exist.
Example:
India's territory extends from the Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south.
4. The State has a Permanent Population
A State must have people residing permanently within its territory.
Population is essential because:
Government exists to govern people.
Citizens contribute to economic and political development.
Population forms the basis of democracy.
The size of population may vary.
Examples:
India has one of the world's largest populations.
Iceland has a comparatively small population.
5. The State has an Organized Government
Government is the machinery through which the State exercises its authority.
Government performs:
Legislative functions
Executive functions
Judicial functions
Government may change through elections, but the State continues to exist.
Difference
State is permanent.
Government is temporary.
6. The State is a Legal Institution
The State creates, interprets, and enforces laws.
Every law derives its authority from the State.
The legal system:
Protects rights
Punishes offenders
Resolves disputes
Maintains justice
Without law, peaceful social life would not be possible.
7. The State Possesses the Power to Use Force
The State alone has the legitimate authority to use force for maintaining law and order.
This power is exercised through:
Police
Armed forces
Courts
Prisons
Political scientist Max Weber described the State as the institution that possesses the legitimate
monopoly over the use of physical force within a given territory.
However, this force is exercised according to law and constitutional limits.
8. The State Represents Public Authority
The State acts on behalf of society and represents the collective interests of citizens.
It performs:
Administration
Defence
Justice
Welfare
Economic regulation
The State works for the common good rather than private interests.
9. The State is a Continuous and Permanent Institution
Governments may change after elections, revolutions, or constitutional amendments, but the
State continues to exist.
For example:
Different governments have ruled India since 1947.
The Indian State has remained continuous.
Thus,
Government changes.
State remains permanent.
10. The State is an Institution of Public Welfare
Modern democratic States are known as welfare States.
They perform functions beyond maintaining law and order.
These include:
Education
Healthcare
Employment generation
Social security
Environmental protection
Poverty alleviation
Infrastructure development
The objective is to improve the quality of life of citizens.
11. The State Exercises Universal Jurisdiction
The authority of the State extends equally over:
Citizens
Foreigners (subject to international law)
Public institutions
Private organizations
Everyone within the territory is generally subject to the laws of the State.
12. The State is an Artificial Institution
Unlike family, which develops naturally, the State is created by human beings for political
organization.
Different theories explain its origin:
Divine Origin Theory
Force Theory
Patriarchal Theory
Social Contract Theory
Evolutionary Theory
Regardless of its origin, the State is a human-created political institution.
6. Elements of State
A state cannot exist without these four essential elements:
i. Population
Population is the most basic requirement of a state.
Without people, there can be no state.
There is no fixed number for population; it may be large or small.
Examples:
India has a very large population
Monaco has a very small population
Importance:
People are the source of political power
They create government, laws, and institutions
ii. Territory
Territory refers to a fixed geographical area with recognized boundaries.
It includes land, water, and air space.
Key points:
Boundaries must be clear and internationally recognized
Size of territory does not matter
Importance:
Provides physical identity to the state
Ensures jurisdiction of laws
iii. Government
Government is the agency of the state that exercises power.
It performs administrative and political functions.
Functions:
Makes and enforces laws
Maintains law and order
Provides public services
Protects citizens
Types of Government:
Democratic
Authoritarian
Parliamentary
Presidential
3. Distinction of state from government and society
The state is a permanent political organization that has supreme authority (sovereignty)
over a defined territory and population. It is the highest form of political association and
includes four essential elements: population, territory, government, and sovereignty. The
state represents the entire political system and continues to exist regardless of changes in
leadership or political parties. It is abstract in nature, meaning it cannot be seen
physically, but its authority is felt through laws and institutions. The main purpose of the
state is to maintain law and order, ensure security, and promote welfare within its
territory. It has the legal right to make laws and enforce them through its institutions.
The government, however, is only one component of the state and acts as its working
machinery. It is the practical organization through which the state expresses its will and
performs its functions. The government is responsible for making laws (legislature),
implementing them (executive), and interpreting them (judiciary). It manages day-to-day
administration, provides public services, and ensures the smooth functioning of the state.
Unlike the state, the government is temporary in nature because it changes after elections,
revolutions, or constitutional procedures. Different political parties may form
governments at different times, but the state remains unchanged. Therefore, the
government is dynamic and changeable, while the state is stable and permanent. The
government also does not possess sovereignty in itself; it exercises sovereign power on
behalf of the state.
The state is also distinct from society, which is a much broader concept. Society refers to
the total web of social relationships among individuals, including their customs,
traditions, values, culture, religion, economic activities, and family life. It is a natural and
voluntary association of people that exists even before the formation of the state. Society
is concerned with all aspects of human life—social, cultural, moral, and economic—
whereas the state is concerned only with political and legal order. Society has no fixed
territory or coercive authority, and it cannot enforce laws through punishment. Instead, it
relies on social norms, customs, traditions, public opinion, and moral pressure to regulate
behavior. Membership in society is voluntary, as individuals can belong to multiple social
groups simultaneously, such as religious groups, cultural organizations, or community
associations.
Another major difference is in their method of control. The state maintains order through
a system of laws, police, courts, and punishment, giving it a coercive authority over
individuals. Society, on the other hand, maintains order through informal means such as
customs, traditions, morality, and social approval or disapproval. While the state is a
formal institution with legal backing, society is an informal structure based on human
relationships and shared values. The objective of the state is to maintain peace, security,
and welfare through law and order, whereas the objective of society is the overall
development of human life in social, cultural, and moral dimensions