Understanding the State: A Deep Dive
The State
A state is a set of institutions created to organize the life and activity of people living in the same territory, governed by the same laws under the same power.
The Territory
A state’s territory is typically well-defined by borders, distinguishing it from other states and territories. Beyond these borders, a state cannot exert its power or enforce its laws.
The Population
People living within a state’s territory are subject to its power and laws. They have a number of rights and obligations that apply equally to all citizens.
The Power
The state’s power encompasses several key functions:
- Establishing Laws: Creates laws that regulate social relations among inhabitants. In democratic countries, these laws are made by the parliament.
- Enforcing Laws: The judiciary is responsible for enforcing laws.
- Maintaining Order: Ensures internal order and external security through institutions like the police and army.
- Foreign Policy: Holds exclusive competence in foreign policy.
- Taxation and Public Services: Collects taxes to fund services, national infrastructure, and aid to promote equality between regions. It also sets social security benefits.
- Economic Management: Manages the economy through laws governing business and the market.
- Public Services Administration: Administers public services like education and health, and manages public infrastructure such as roads and railways.
Most people working for the administration are career officials who access their jobs through competitive processes. A smaller number of administrative tasks are performed by individuals appointed by the government in power.
In democratic states, the choice of rulers is made by all citizens over 18.
Elements of a Democratic State
A democratic state is one where citizens participate in government tasks. This can be through:
- Direct Democracy: Citizens gather in assemblies or make decisions through referendums.
- Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to exercise sovereignty on their behalf in parliament. These representatives make laws and elect the prime minister and heads of other institutions.
Key aspects of elections:
- Must be free
- Must be fair
- Should have universal suffrage
- Should be periodic
Political Parties
In a democracy, different parties present their programs to citizens, outlining their proposed objectives if elected.
The Division of Powers
- Legislative: Parliament makes and passes laws.
- Executive: The government determines and implements policy through the administration.
- Judicial: The judiciary applies the law, judges conflicts between citizens, and punishes those who break the law.
Monarchy and Republic
- Parliamentary Monarchy: The king is the highest authority, but sovereignty rests with the people. The king swears allegiance to the constitution. The position is hereditary and for life.
- Parliamentary Republic: The head of state is the President of the Republic, elected by all citizens.
Liberal and Welfare States
- Liberal State: Does not interfere in the economy or social relationships, believing the economy should operate according to market laws.
- Welfare State: Intervenes in the economy and social spheres to reduce inequalities and promote equality among citizens.
Centralized and Decentralized States
- Centralized State: Decisions are made by the central government.
- Decentralized State: Power is shared with various territories, delegating some authority to them.
Non-Democratic States
- Absolute Monarchy: The king concentrates all power (makes laws, rules, and judges).
- Dictatorship: A person or group rules with absolute power, often with the support of a political party or the army.
States and Globalization
Globalization has led to:
- Globalized Economy: Capital flows freely between countries.
- Information Networks: Real-time information exchange across borders.
Globalization has created a global system of states. For this system to function, states have made agreements and established supranational organizations like the EU, which assume some state sovereignty.
The EU is a supranational institution that has assumed a significant share of the sovereignty of its 27 member states, creating a common economic and political space.