5 Questions
What is the state?
A political unit with the highest sovereignty and responsibility for its affairs
How is the state sometimes considered?
An expression of society
What is the nature of the state's authority?
It establishes sovereign jurisdiction within defined territorial borders
What does the state possess according to the text?
'Ultimate' sovereignty and responsibility for its affairs
How is the origin of the state described?
Subjected to mystery, with unknown source and time of origin
Study Notes
The Concept of the State
- The state is an institution that holds a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a specific territory.
- The state is sometimes considered an abstract entity that is more than the sum of its individual parts, with a life of its own.
Authority of the State
- The state's authority is based on its ability to enforce rules and maintain order, thereby providing a sense of security and stability.
Characteristics of the State
- The state possesses a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force, taxation, and the right to make laws.
Origins of the State
- The origin of the state is described as a gradual process, emerging from the need for cooperation, protection, and governance among early human societies.
Explore the concept of the state as an institution through which politics is organized and formalized, and how it is viewed by political thinkers. Discover the nature of the state and its legitimacy.
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