Concept of State
Ncert Solution
Write short notes on the following
1. Patriarchal Theory : According to Patriarchal Theory, in the origin and development of State, the
eldest male descendant of the family had an important role to play. The Patriarchal theory finds its
support from Sir Henry Maine (1822-1888). In his book ‘The Spirit of Laws’ (1861), Maine explained that
the state developed out of the family as legitimate legal system developed out of the unrestrained
autocracy of the family head (patria potestas). Under patria potestas, the eldest male parent of the
family had the final and unqualified authority over the family and the household.
2. Developmental States: A developmental state is characterized by having strong state intervention, as
well as extensive regulation and planning. The term ‘developmental state’ describes the states’ essential
role in harnessing national resources and directing incentives through a distinctive policy-making
process.
3. Social Contract Theory : The Social Contract Theory traces the existence of the State to the mutual
agreement and mutual consent of the people, to form a State. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, both
from England, and Jeans Jacques Rousseau from France, are the three political philosophers who
propounded this theory. They assumed that, to escape from the pre-political condition of society,
individuals entered into a social contract. These theories served as the basis for modern democracy. This
theory established the obedience to political authority and that ultimate political authority rested with
the consent of the people.
4. Totalitarian States: like Hegel and dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini held that the state must have
absolute powers and individuals have no right against the state. According to this view, the state can do
no wrong. The whole life of an individual is within the jurisdiction of the state.
5. Article 12 of the Constitution of India: Article 12 of the Constitution of India states that, “in this part,
unless the context otherwise requires, the State includes the Government and Parliament of India and
the Government and the Legislature of each of the States and all local or other authorities within the
territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.”
Write one point of difference between the following
1. Internal and External Sovereignty: As independence, external sovereignty is the freedom of
self-governance. Internal sovereignty is freedom-to, while external sovereignty is freedom-from. As
internal sovereignty implies unlimited freedom to interfere within, external sovereignty implies
unlimited freedom from interference from without.
2. Matriarchal and Patriarchal theory of State: Patriarchy is a social organization where father is the
authority figure in the family. This is a social system where power is held by men and cultural norms,
customs favor men. Matriarchy is a social organization where mother is the head of the family
3. Minimal and Collectivised State : A minimal state advocates for little involvement and relies on market
mechanisms, whereas a collectivized state emphasises centralized planning and control over economic
activity.
4. Social Contract theory by Hobbes and Locke: Hobbes believed that the social contract was designed to
invest absolute power in a ruler to govern the citizenry. Locke believed that the social contract meant
investing some power in the hands of the ruler, whose power would be used to protect his citizens'
human rights.
5. State and Government : State is a concept, an idea or a name used to denote a community of persons
living on a definite territory and organised for the exercise of sovereignty. State cannot be
seen. Government is made by the people of the State. It is formed by the representatives of the people.
Answer the following questions briefly
1. List down the various theories on the origin of State.
The theory of kinship on the origin of State is based on sociological facts. The earliest advocate
of this theory is Aristotle (384-322 BCE).
According to Patriarchal Theory, in the origin and development of State, the eldest male
descendant of the family had an important role to play. The Patriarchal theory finds its support
from Sir Henry Maine.
Matriarchal Theory finds support from political thinkers like McLennan (1827-1881), and Edward
Jenks (1861-1939). According to them, patriarchal families were non-existent in the primitive
ages. Polyandry (where a woman had many husbands) was the highest authority of the
household.
According to the Divine Theory, state is established and governed by God or some super human
power or the King as his agent and the religious scriptures.
2. Briefly explain the elements of a State.
Population The state is a human association constituted by the people living there. Population is
an essential element of a state. It is the people who make a state, without them there can be no
state.
A state is a territorial institution. The fixed territory and population of a state gives it a physical
identity in the eyes of municipal law and international law.
Government is the political and administrative organ of a State. The state operates through its
government. The state consists of all its citizens, and is a broader concept.
Sovereignty is the crucial factor that distinguishes the state from other associations. Without
Sovereign there can be no state in the technical sense of the term.
3. What are the various states on the basis of its role?
The ideal of minimal states is a contribution of classical liberals. States’ role is to protect
individuals from interference in their liberty and that transactions between private individuals
are voluntary and free.
A developmental state is characterized by having strong state intervention, as well as extensive
regulation and planning.
Social democratic states are the ideal type of states viewed by modern liberals and democratic
socialists. The state functions on the principle of fairness, equality and equal distribution of
wealth to achieve social, political and economic justice, equality and empowerment of its
people.
Collectivized States
They undertake the control of economic life, by bringing common ownership of all economic
resources under their own control for the welfare of all.
Totalitarian States
Philosophers like Hegel and dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini held that the state must have
absolute powers and individuals have no right against the state.
Modern Welfare State
Irrespective of the classification, functions of a modern welfare state include the maintenance
of law and order, establishment of justice, defence, public security and foreign relations,
maintenance of public health and sanitation, water supply, transport and communication
system, supply of power, electricity and essential commodities,control of banking, currency and
inflation, preservation of forests, checking of trading and control of prices and measurements
etc.
Answer the following questions in about 200 words
1. Explain the comparative views on social contract theory.
Theories of the social contract differed according to their purpose: some were designed
to justify the power of the sovereign, while others were intended to safeguard the individual
from oppression by a sovereign who was all too powerful.
Social contract theory says that people live together in society in accordance with an agreement
that establishes moral and political rules of behavior. Some people believe that if we live
according to a social contract, we can live morally by our own choice and not because a divine
being requires it.
2. Define State.
3. Explain the emergence of State
