3. The state and what it is not

Question 1

What is the state?

Weber
Hague et al.
Jessop

Steven van Hauwaert

Answer 1

Max Weber (1921) - Politics as a Vocation:
State is not defined by its actions - a state is a human community that successfully claims the monopoly of legitimate physical violence within a particular territory.

Hague et al. 2019:
“the legal and political authority of a territory containing a population
and marked by borders. The state defines the political authority of which government is the managing authority; that authority is regarded as both sovereign and legitimate by the citizens of the state and governments of other states.”

Jessop, 2006:
“the state is at best a polyvalent, polycontextual phenomenon which
changes shape and appearance with the political forces acting towards it and the circumstances in which they do so”

Steven van Hauwaert
a geographically delineated, sovereign authority that has control
over a population (that lives in that territory)

Question 2

What is state development according to Fukuyama? (2004)

Answer 2

1. Establishment of “the state” usually through unification
2. Implementation of rule of law
3. Accountability

Question 3

Who is a citizen? (Hague et al. 2019)

Answer 3

A citizen is “a full member of the state, entitled to the rights and subject to the duties associated with that status.”

Question 4

What historical event shaped how states look like today?

Answer 4

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)
-> start of state sovereignty instead of empires

Question 5

What is the difference between a state and a nation?

Answer 5

A nation has psychological emotional basis (“legitimacy”) not legal or functional. Key principle is identity.

Question 6

What is a nation-state?

Answer 6

Majority of citizens are united by factors that define the nation.
Nation and state are the same entity.

Question 7

How did Aristotle classify states based on the number of powerholders?

Answer 7

One person governs & legitimate rule: Monarchy
One person governs & corrupt rule: Tyranny

Few people govern & legitimate rule: Aristocracy
Few people govern & corrupt rule: Oligarchy

Many people rule & legitimate rule: Polity
Many people rule corrupt rule: Democracy

Question 8

How can we classify states based on strength?

Answer 8

1. Failed states: no legitimate government
2. Weak states: rigged elections, penetration of crime into politics
3. Effective state: free and fair elections, government looks after welfare

Question 9

How can we classify states based on the extent of intervention in society & economy?

Answer 9

Night-watchmen state
Developmental state
Social democratic state

Question 10

What are the 4 basic approaches to state-economy relations according to Weber?

Answer 10

Low state ownership & low welfare benefits: laissez-faire states (USA)

Low state ownership & high welfare benefits: Welfare states (Sweden)

High state ownership & low welfare benefits: Statist states (Brazil)

High state ownership & high welfare benefits: Socialist states (Soviet Union)

Question 11

What are various classification criteria of states?

Answer 11

1. Descriptives, like population, GDP, religion, etc.
2. Internal cohesion and stability
3. Electoral system
   System of government
4. Degree of centralisation

Question 12

What is the difference between power and authority?

Answer 12

Power: to influence other people’s behaviour
Authority: to have legitimacy to use your power

e.g. Coups: they have the power to overthrow a regime if the population does not accept them as rulers -> they do not have authority

Question 13

What are the 3 kinds of authority according to Weber?

Answer 13

1. Traditional: authority that is given to somebody by tradition e.g. pope, king
2. Legal/ rational authority: authority given by laws and regulations e.g. president, prime minister
3. Charismatic Authority: e.g. Ted Bundy