Forms and Functions of State and Non-State Institutions PDF

Forms and Functions of State and Non-State Institutions State is an organized political community living under a single system of government. Often state and government are used as synonyms. Both words refer to an organized political group that exercises authority The States is the highest...

Forms and Functions of State and Non-State Institutions State is an organized political community living under a single system of government. Often state and government are used as synonyms. Both words refer to an organized political group that exercises authority The States is the highest form of human association. Woodrow Wilson, “State is a people organized for law within a definite territory. Aristotle defined the state as a “union of families and villages having for its end a perfect and self- sufficing life by which it meant a The state is an institution whose functions are carried out by the government. Its primary functions are maintenance of peace and order and the regulation and control of the lives of the people as well as addressing the needs of the citizenry to a certain degree of social A state is an organized political community acting under a government and united by common set of laws. The concept of the state is different from the concept of government. A government is the particular group of people that controls the state at a given time. In other words, governments are the means through which the state power us employed like applying the rule of law. The concept of the state is also different from the concept of a nation, which refers to a large geographical area and the people therein who The State intends to be a strong actor in the performance of the three important political functions. The state, in full form, 1. maintains control over violence in its domain 2. allocates resources and rewards at its discretion, and 3. stands as the major focus of identity for the large majority of the people under its Welfare of State Under this system, the welfare and well-being of its citizens is the responsibility of the state. The most of the modern democratic countries are welfare state. The welfare state is a society in which an assured minimum standard of living and opportunity becomes the possession of every citizen. Characteristics of Welfare State 1. Ensure Social Security- It is a mixed economy, where a combination of capitalistic and socialistic features exists, and which the government plays a dominant role in controlling the economic activities and social welfare of the people. 2. Socialistic in Nature- It is based on the principles of equality and is keen to provide equal opportunity to all. It also aims to Features of the Welfare State: 1. Universal programs in health, education, and a few income benefits and social services. 2. Social insurance programs for employment and retirement. 3. Targeted programs for peoples’ welfare. 4. Tax levels, tax expenditures measures. 5. Private occupational benefits. 6. Charitable and nonprofit community activity. The main functions are maintaining law, order and stability, resolving various kinds of disputes through the legal system, providing common defence, and looking out for the welfare of the population in ways that are beyond the means of the individual, such as implementing public health measures, providing Elements of the States 1. Population It is the people who make the state. Population is essential for the state. Without population there can be no State. 2. Territory There can be no state without a fixed territory. People need territory to live and organize themselves socially and politically. It Elements of the States 3. Government It is the organization or machinery or agency of the State which makes, implements, enforces, and adjudicates the laws of the state. 4. Sovereignty It is the most exclusive elements of State. Without sovereignty no state can exist. State has the exclusive title and prerogative to exercise supreme power over all its people and territory. It is the basis Forms of States States come in a variety of forms that vary on who holds power, how positions of leadership are obtained, and how authority is maintained. These are: a. Authoritarian Government Authoritarian governments differ in who holds power and in how control they assume over those who govern. An example of this type is Monarchy. Monarchy is a form of government in which supreme power is absolutely lodged with an individual, who is the head of the state, often for life or until abdication. The person who heads a monarchy is called a monarch. Some monarchs hold unlimited political powers while many constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom and Thailand. Currently, 44 nations in the world have monarchs as Totalitarianism is a political system that strives to regulate nearly every aspect of public and private life. It theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state. Modern examples of totalitarian states include the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, the People’s Republic of China under Mao b. Oligarchic Government An oligarchy is a form of government in which power effectively rests with a small-elite segment of society distinguished by royalty, wealth, family, military, or religious hegemony. An oligarchy does not have one clear ruler, but several powerful people who rule. One common example is theocracy. Theocracy is a government by divine guidance or by official who are regarded as divinely guided. Leaders are members of the clergy, and the state’s legal system is based on religious law. Contemporary examples of theocracies include Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Vatican. c. Democratic Government Democracy is a form of government in which the right to governs is held by the majority of citizens within a country or a state. The two principles of democracy are that all citizens have equal access to power and that all citizens enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties. People can either become country leaders through electoral process or elect leaders who represent the core values and beliefs. There are 99 democratic nations globally. Examples of Roles of the States 1. State provides security against external aggressions and war. For this purpose, the state maintains an army. 2. State ensures security against internal disturbances disorders and crimes. For this purpose, the state maintains police. 3. State legally grants and guarantees the rights of the people. 4. The state issues and regulates currency Roles of the States 5. State undertakes steps for the creation of necessary conditions for the socio-economic- politico-cultural development of the people. 6. State grants citizenship and protects their interests and rights. 7. State conducts foreign relations, foreign trade and economic relations. 8. State secures the goals of national interest in international relations