This essay attempts to evaluate the State’s importance within the field of Politics.
In the first place it needs to be discussed, what the State is. This is one of the most frequently asked questions
within the field of Politics. It seems to be a simple question to ask but as we will see later on, the idea of the
State is hard to pin down and there is not only one absolute definition. Often, the term ‘State’ is misunderstood
and even misused. When mentioning the State there is a variety of responses: fear, hope or even puzzlement. We
do not only talk of the ‘police state’ or the ‘welfare state’. It is undeniable that the State is of profound
significance. In most advanced societies, the State has become a consistent presence – affecting our daily lives
constantly. This is partly because the State is recording births, certifying them, authorizing our marriages and
enacting them. We are paying taxes, carry our passport with us when entering or leaving a State and we have to
obey the laws made by the State. Just try not to pay taxes.
The State doesn’t reveal itself at the first look. By definition it’s an abstract idea, since it is independent of rulers
who can be replaced. Several persons might argue that the today’s understanding of the term State is equivalent
or a simple analogue of the Greek city (polis1). That is, the Greek polis had no understanding of privacy or
citizens´ rights or freedoms. The polis stood above all and the citizens had to serve the polis not the way around,
as we know it today. The State’s purpose today is to serve its citizens. But they do have something in common:
They both have a definite territory, the idea of citizenship, a certain population and also laws. The State and its
nature have been analyzed by various scholars in the twentieth century.
1` Transliteration of the Greek word for `city-state´. In Plato and especially Aristotle, polis has the normative
connotation of the best form of social organization.´(McLean, I; McMillan A. (2003) Concise Dictionary of
Politics, Polis p.413, Oxford University Press
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Defining the State
- Historical Perspectives on the State
- The State's Functions and Roles
- Levels of Analysis in Comparative Politics
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to evaluate the significance of the state within the field of politics, exploring its definition, historical evolution, functions, and its role in comparative political analysis. The essay challenges the assertion that the state is the only appropriate unit of political analysis.
- Defining and understanding the concept of the state.
- The historical development and evolution of the state.
- The functions and roles of the state in modern society.
- Different levels of analysis in comparative politics (institution-centered, society-centered, state-centered).
- The limitations of the state as the sole unit of political analysis.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the essay, posing the central question of whether the state is the only appropriate unit of political analysis in political science. It highlights the complexity and multifaceted nature of the concept of the state and its pervasive influence on daily life.
Defining the State: This section delves into the complexities of defining the state, noting the lack of a single, universally accepted definition. It explores various interpretations and usages of the term, highlighting the inherent ambiguity and the wide range of responses the term evokes. The section also draws parallels and contrasts between the modern understanding of the state and the ancient Greek polis, emphasizing the fundamental shift in the relationship between the state and its citizens.
Historical Perspectives on the State: This chapter examines the historical development of the state, tracing its evolution through the works of influential political philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Bodin, Weber, and Hegel. It gives particular attention to Machiavelli’s early modern conception of the state as a territorial sovereign government and the role of war in state formation, referencing Tilly's influential work on the relationship between war and state-building. The chapter also touches upon factors such as the invention of gunpowder and the religious reformation in shaping the modern state.
The State's Functions and Roles: This section details the key functions and roles of the state, both internally and externally. Internal functions encompass maintaining public order, protecting property and the environment, while external functions include national defense, international relations, and diplomacy. It also explores the shifting relationship between the state and the individual, from a historical emphasis on the individual's subservience to the state to the modern conception of the state as a protective force serving the interests of its citizens. This part utilizes Hall's definition of the state as a set of institutions focused on coercion within a geographically defined territory.
Levels of Analysis in Comparative Politics: This chapter discusses different levels of analysis employed in comparative politics, particularly the institution-centered, society-centered, and state-centered approaches. It analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, highlighting the shift from institution-centered analysis in the past to a more society-centered and then state-centered approach. The chapter also includes Easton's systems model as an example of a society-centered approach, pointing out its limitations in explaining political change.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
State, political analysis, comparative politics, sovereignty, institutions, society, historical development, functions of the state, levels of analysis, individual vs. state, war and state formation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview providing an overview of a work exploring the significance of the state in political science. It covers the state's definition, historical evolution, functions, and its role in comparative political analysis, challenging the notion that the state is the sole unit of political analysis.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
The key themes include defining the state, its historical development, its functions and roles in modern society, different levels of analysis in comparative politics (institution-centered, society-centered, state-centered), and the limitations of viewing the state as the only unit of political analysis.
What are the chapters covered in this preview?
The preview summarizes the following chapters: Introduction, Defining the State, Historical Perspectives on the State, The State's Functions and Roles, and Levels of Analysis in Comparative Politics.
How is the state defined in this text?
The text acknowledges the lack of a universally accepted definition of the state, exploring various interpretations and highlighting the ambiguity of the term. It compares the modern understanding of the state with the ancient Greek polis, emphasizing the shift in the state-citizen relationship.
What historical perspectives on the state are discussed?
The text examines the historical development of the state through the lenses of influential thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, Marx, Bodin, Weber, and Hegel. It emphasizes Machiavelli's early modern conception and Tilly's work on the relationship between war and state-building, considering factors like gunpowder and the religious reformation.
What are the functions and roles of the state according to this text?
The text details both internal functions (maintaining order, protecting property and the environment) and external functions (national defense, international relations, diplomacy). It also explores the evolving relationship between the state and the individual, from subservience to a protective force serving citizen interests, referencing Hall's definition of the state.
What are the different levels of analysis in comparative politics discussed?
The text discusses institution-centered, society-centered, and state-centered approaches in comparative politics. It analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each, highlighting the historical shift between them and using Easton's systems model as an example of a society-centered approach.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: State, political analysis, comparative politics, sovereignty, institutions, society, historical development, functions of the state, levels of analysis, individual vs. state, war and state formation.
What is the overall argument or thesis of the text?
The text challenges the assertion that the state is the only appropriate unit of political analysis. It argues for a more nuanced understanding that considers multiple levels of analysis and the complex interplay between the state, society, and the individual.
Who is the intended audience for this text?
The intended audience appears to be academics or students in political science, given the focus on theoretical concepts, historical analysis, and comparative methodologies.
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- Ivonne Giechau (Autor:in), 2004, The only appropriate unit of political analysis is the state.Discuss., München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/32232
