Definitions, Forms, and
Functions of State
What is state?
State – taken from the Latin stare (to stand) is a
political community that occupies a definite
territory, having a government of their own,
wherein a great number of inhabitants render
obedience and enjoy freedom from external
control.
Aristotle defined the state as a “union of families and
villages having its end a perfect and self-sufficing life by
which it meant a happy and good life”.
Woodrow Wilson, “state is a person organized for law
within a definite territory”.
James Garner, “State is a community of people live in a
definite form of territory free of external control and
possessing an organized government to which
people show habitual agreement”.
The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of
government wherein power is equally divided among its
three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The
government seeks to act in the best interests of its citizens
through this system of check and balance.
The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty
resides in the people and all government authority emanated from
them.
- ARTICLE II, SECTION I OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
Difference between State and Society
The society consists of a large number of individuals, families, group
and institutions. The early political thinkers considered both state
and society as one. State is a part of society but is not a form of
society.
State Society
1. State came into existence 1. Society is prior to the state.
after the origin of society.
2. The scope of the state is 2. The scope of society is
limited. much wider.
3. The state has the power to 3. Society has no power to
enforce laws. enforce laws.
Elements of the state
1. Population - it is the people who make the state.
Population is essential for the state.
2. Territory – there can be no state without a fixed
territory. People need territory to live and organize
themselves socially and politically.
3. Government - there can be no state without government. It is
the working agency of the state as well as the political organization of
the state.
4. Sovereignty - The fourth essential element of the state which
means supreme and final legal authority above and beyond which no
legal power exists.
Internal sovereignty - means that the State is supreme over all its citizens,
and associations.
External sovereignty - means that the State is independent and free from
foreign or outside control.
Differences between State and Nation
STATE NATION
1. Existed not only at present 1. Modern phenomenon or
but also occurrence.
in the ancient period.
2. It is legal political. 2. It is ethnic cultural.
3. People organized for law 3. People psychologically
within a joined together
definite territory. with common will to live
together.
Differences between State and Government
STATE GOVERNMENT
1. State consists of 1. Government is part of a
population, territory, state.
government and
sovereignty.
2. State is permanent and 2. Government is temporary it
continues may come
forever. and go.
3. State possesses original 3. Powers of the government
powers. are derived from the state.
Functions of the State
1. Protect the Natural Rights
The primary functions of government are to protect the basic human
rights which include right to life, liberty and to possess property. The
idea of natural rights is because every person deserves to enjoy these
rights.
2. Defend Against External Enemies
War across nations has been a constant condition since the beginning of
civilization. The government has a responsibility to ensure peace within
its borders.
3. Managing Economic Conditions
The modern government has a duty to fight poverty and improve
the quality of life of its citizens. In order to achieve this, the
government must create a conducive environment for material
prosperity and economic growth.
4. Redistribution of Income and Resources
Governments should ensure economic pie grows larger to redistribute
fruits of prosperity. The government does this by taxing wealthier people
and transferring the income to different categories of people who are in
need of these services.