The Modern State

Question 1

Basic Tenets of the Early Modern State (3 S’s)

Answer 1

1. Secular authority in a given territory
2. Sovereignity: supreme law making power
3. State’s purposes

Question 2

State (As a country)

Answer 2

A political and legal entity which has a permanent population, a border and defined territory, a central and sovereign government, a monopoly on the use of force and is recognized as such by other states.
State ≠ Nation

Question 3

The State (As a governing entity)

Answer 3

The apparatus of government; consisting of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and all institutions to which they delegate power.
State ≠ Government

Question 4

Functions/Branches of Modern State (6)

Answer 4

A. Legislative - Parliament, Congress
B. Executive - Cabinet
C. Judicial - Courts
D. Administrative - Bureaucracy
E. Socialisation/Educational Function - School
F. Coercive Function - Police, military, prisons

Question 5

The Modern Constitution (5)

Answer 5

Rooted in the ‘people’/demos and determines state power and rights of citizens
Determines...
1. Distribution of power
2. Process of decision-making
3. Rights of citizens
4. Arbitration of disputes
5. Basic foundations for laws

Question 6

War Measures Act (1914)

Answer 6

Rule by decree – suspension of civil rights
Used Three Times
Replaced by Emergencies Act (1988)

Question 7

Development of Modern State

Answer 7

Relatively new phenomenon,

14th and 15th century monarchies laid claim to territory which were the foundations of the modern state

Question 8

State-building

Answer 8

Constructing political institutions where none existed previously or were very weak

Question 9

Failed-states

Answer 9

States that have no effective central control, no monopoly on the use of violence, porous borders

Question 10

Libertarianism

Answer 10

Belief that individuals know what is best for themselves and are capable of living their lives ethically and responsibly without interference from the government

Question 11

Political Pluralism

Answer 11

The state’s role is to regulate and mediate between groups who each have their agendas

Question 12

The New Right

Answer 12

A theory by people like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Adam Smith

Belief that the state has a tendency to expand its activities far beyond what is healthy for society

Question 13

Elitism

Answer 13

The belief or notion that individuals who form an elite—a select group of people perceived as having an intrinsic quality, high intellect, wealth, power, special skills, or experience—are more likely to be constructive to society as a whole, and therefore deserve influence or authority greater

Question 14

D.D Raphael on power? (3)

Answer 14

1. Power is the ability to do something
2. Power is the ability to convince someone to do something (Soft power)
3. Power is the ability to coerce someone into doing something (hard power)

Question 15

Treaty of Westphalia: 1648

Answer 15

Regarded as a key step in the development of tolerance and secularization across the world (developed Europe’s ability to live with religious diversity).

• Strengthened nations since they could now enter into foreign alliances and decide important matters, such as peace and war.
• Led to the sovereignty of states, which kept the peace by maintaining a balance of power

Attempt to bring an end to imperial principles and belligerent territory conquests

Question 16

Social Contract (2)

Answer 16

1. The voluntary agreement among individuals by which (according to Hobbes, Locke, or Rousseau theories) organized society is brought into being and invested with the right to secure mutual protection and welfare or to regulate the relations among its members.
2. An agreement for mutual benefit between an individual or group and the government or community as a whole.

Question 17

Pluralism

Answer 17

Arises in the 1960s
- Pluralism is the recognition and affirmation of diversity within a political body, which is seen to permit the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions, and lifestyles.

The existence of competing force is a natural feature of ant society that is difficult to suppress

-THE ROLE OF THE STATE IS TO BE A MEDIATOR BETWEEN THESE COMPETING INTEREST GROUPS (sectional or cause/promotional)

Power in society is diffuse and fragmented but most interest groups will have some ability to influence public policy

Question 18

Elitism (1950s/1960s)

Answer 18

All societies, despite democratic rhetoric, are ruled by a SINGLE, UNIFIED, SELF CONSCIOUS elite… iron law of oligarchy (Michels)

Wright Mills argues that power in American society is concentrated in the hands of powerful elite that dominates economic, military and governmental spheres
- Corporatism can be an example

Question 19

Nightman Watch State

Answer 19

Gov’t concentrates on ensuring internal + external security; little role in civil society; free, unregulated market; primary concern is to protect individual’s right to life, liberty, and property from internal/external threats…

Does not promote social programs, welfare… etc.

Classic liberals and modern libertarians like this

Question 20

Social Contract Versions

Answer 20

Locke = Persons have natural pre-social rights to life, liberty, and property, but a central authority, brought about through a social contract, is eventually necessary to better protect those rights

Rousseau = Relatively peaceful, but a social contract becomes necessary to overcome conflicts that inevitably arise as society grows and individuals become dependent on others to meet their needs

Hobbes = Everyone has a right to everything, and there is no impartial power to prevent violent persons from taking what others may need to survive