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Political science · An Introduction To Political Theory 9th Edition O. P. Gauba

Chapter 10 : Diverse Perspectives on the State

Table of contents51 sections
  1. 1.Diverse Perspectives on the State
  2. 2.[I] Organic Theory of the State
  3. 3.The State as a Natural Institution
  4. 4.The State as an Ethical Institution
  5. 5.A Critical Estimate
  6. 6.Key Terms
  7. 7.📌 Exam Tidbits
  8. 8.[II] Mechanistic Theory of the State: Idea of the Social Contract
  9. 9.Theory of the Social Contract
  10. 10.Exponents and Outline of the Theory
  11. 11.Comparative Analysis of the Social Contract
  12. 12.Further Details on the Thinkers' Arguments
  13. 13.A Critical Appraisal
  14. 14.Key Terms
  15. 15.📌 Exam Tidbits
  16. 16.[III] Liberal-Individualist Perspective
  17. 17.Exponents of the Theory
  18. 18.Recent Developments (Libertarianism)
  19. 19.Key Terms
  20. 20.📌 Exam Tidbits
  21. 21.[IV] Welfare State Perspective
  22. 22.Exponents of Positive Liberalism
  23. 23.Key Terms
  24. 24.📌 Exam Tidbits
  25. 25.[V] Class Perspective
  26. 26.The State as an Instrument of the Dominant Class
  27. 27.The State as an Instrument of Class Exploitation
  28. 28.A Critical Estimate
  29. 29.Recent Developments (Neo-Marxism)
  30. 30.Key Terms
  31. 31.📌 Exam Tidbits
  32. 32.[VI] Communitarian Perspective
  33. 33.Distinction Between Liberal and Communitarian Perspectives
  34. 34.Key Terms
  35. 35.📌 Exam Tidbits
  36. 36.[VII] Post-Colonial Perspective
  37. 37.Key Terms
  38. 38.📌 Exam Tidbits
  39. 39.[VIII] Gandhian Perspective
  40. 40.Nature of the State
  41. 41.Gandhi and Marx Comparison
  42. 42.Concept of Swaraj
  43. 43.Key Terms
  44. 44.📌 Exam Tidbits
  45. 45.[IX] Feminist Perspective
  46. 46.Key Terms
  47. 47.📌 Exam Tidbits
  48. 48.[X] Pluralist Perspective
  49. 49.Key Terms
  50. 50.📌 Exam Tidbits
  51. 51.Quick-Recall Box

Chapter preview

Diverse Perspectives on the State

Political thought is defined as 'thought about the state, its structure, its nature, and its purpose'. The source outlines ten major perspectives on the state: (a) Organic theory; (b) Mechanistic Theory; (c) Liberal-individualist; (d) Welfare State; (e) Class; (f) Communitarian; (g) Post-colonial; (h) Gandhian; (i) Feminist; and (j) Pluralist.

[I] Organic Theory of the State

The organic (or organismic) theory represents the earliest thinking about the state. It compares the state to a living organism and individuals to its organs.

  • Implications:
  1. The existence and worth of individuals depend entirely on the state.
  2. Different groups/classes are naturally fit to perform different functions, with some destined for superiority in the interest of the whole.

The State as a Natural Institution

  • The state is viewed as essential for civilized human existence.
  • Ancient Greeks: The state comes into existence for the sake of life and continues for the sake of good life.
  • Aristotle: Declared man is by nature a 'political animal'. One without a state is either a beast or a god. He logically asserted that 'State is prior to man' (just as a whole body is prior to a hand).
  • Edmund Burke (1729-97): Chief exponent of conservatism; likened the state to the growth of a living organism that could not survive dissection.
  • G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831): German philosopher and champion of the idealist theory who declared: 'State is march of God on earth.'
  • Biological School (19th Century): Likened political institutions to biological phenomena. Bluntschli (1801-81) went as far as claiming the state was masculine and the Church feminine.

The State as an Ethical Institution

  • The state has a moralizing effect, enabling man to achieve moral excellence.

  • Aristotle: Defended slavery as a natural institution based on the differentiation of functions, arguing some are marked from birth for subjection and others for rule.

  • Biological School's 3 Characteristics of an Organism (applied to the State):

  • The state was eulogized as a 'Moral Organism', 'Super-organism', and 'Real Person'. Individuals have no rights against the state; true freedom lies in obedience to state laws.

A Critical Estimate

  • Subordination of Man:…
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Chapter 11 : Grounds and Limits of Political Obligation