Introduction to the State PDF

**Introduction** - **The state is more of a central concept, and it is a variety of different Important Things** - **The state became more concentrated to the economic side in the country** - **Before we could understand what is the role of the state, we need to understand what...

**Introduction** - **The state is more of a central concept, and it is a variety of different Important Things** - **The state became more concentrated to the economic side in the country** - **Before we could understand what is the role of the state, we need to understand what are we talking about first** - **The state began in the 17^th^ century b.c. and then it was more basic type of state it began first in places like mesopetampia and indus valley and Egypt and Greece** - **After Roman Empire, Islamic caliphate state was ruled well, but in the other hand, the church rule was more dictator and giving mercy for who pays more money.** - **Weber looked to the state like hobbes, he thought the state needed to be ruled with no freedom and giving loyalty to the king/monarch** - **Marx looked on the state as the need to give freedom and better life for the poor people** - **In the difference in defining the state, but still all people agreed that the state should have a common understanding** - **Political scientists tend to look on the concept of the state in a more analytical way** - **There is a difference in the institutions between different governments, but, still there is more influence on the autonomy of the labor system** - **Some say that feminism doesn't have any theory about the state, and some think it has.** - **Some key points are: Feminism thinks that the state are more patriarch, there are also more dependency of women in working independently** - **The book values pluralism abit too much, and also does think that Marxism isn't a systematic theory of the state.** - **Missing Points** - **I think that the author didn't talk at all about political regimes, as political regimes are an integral part of the state, it could make the state fail or succeed and survive longer or shorter.** - **Book Summary on the Concept of the State** **The concept of the state is central to the analysis of politics, but it has been the subject of controversy since the seventeenth century. The aim of the book is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the contemporary state, where the state is defined as an institutional system that manages the affairs of society. The modern state is characterized by its claim to sovereignty over a specific territory, and its separation from the rest of the world.** **The concept of the state has gone through several stages throughout history, starting from the overlap of religion with governance in Western Europe to the concept of the modern state developed by scholars such as Machiavelli and Max Weber. Weber's definition of the state is considered the most influential, as it refers to the state's monopoly on the use of legitimate violence within its territory.** **The book also discusses developments in state theory in light of globalization, feminist theory, and the pluralism of powers. Feminist theory calls for enhancing the role of women in political life, while globalization indicates a reduction in the role of the state.** **The transformations In state theories reflect a growing understanding of the intersection of multiple factors, such as social and political changes.** **The book also addresses the challenges facing the nation-state, and highlights the importance of the interaction between the state and civil society. Finally, he points out that the modern state still retains a central role in achieving legitimacy and coordination among various actors.** **1.Convergence of Theories: Some state theories, like Marxism, elitism, and pluralism, have started to overlap, but they still differ in certain areas. This shift suggests that power isn't always concentrated in one place but can be distributed.** **Changing Understanding of the State: Modern theories see the state as too complex for a single fixed theory, as situations keep changing. For example, Marxism has become more flexible, with more recognition of the role individuals play in influencing the state.** **Concentration of Power: Some theories view power as spread across various groups, but theories like Marxism and elitism see it as usually concentrated in the hands of certain influential groups.** **Balance Between Structures and Individuals: Current theories emphasize a balance between the influence of state structures and the ability of individuals to change these structures through their actions.** **Role of Culture and Ideas: There's a new focus on how culture and ideas shape the state. This cultural shift affects our understanding of power and the role of the state.** **Modern Challenges in Legitimacy and Identity: With cultural diversity and declining political participation, the state faces challenges in maintaining legitimacy and accommodating multiple identities.** **Impact of Globalization: Globalization has affected the role of the state, but it hasn't diminished its importance. States still have control over their own decisions and react differently to global pressures.** **Sarah selim ID: 20213889** **Yassin Hossam ID: 20220241** **Moataz Mohammed ID: 20214646**