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Pol Sci Lec 3 PDF
Pol Sci Lec 3 PDF
Pol Sci Lec 3 PDF
of the State
THE STATE is a central concept in the study and practice of politics
State (Webster’s Dictionary: a form or mode of being, a
condition). From Latin status (literally: standing)
(l’etat – in French, das Staat – in German, lo stato – in Italian,
estado – in Spanish)
____________
*David Held, Introduction. In: “States and Societies”. Edited by David Held et al. Oxford:
Basil Blackwell, 1985, p.1
Society and the State
Human society predates the state. 200,000 years of
human existence passed without the state
The state arises at a certain stage in social evolution:
when human society becomes bigger, more complex,
more productive, more divided by private property –
and when the very existence of society begins to
require a special mechanism for coordination and
use of social power
• Human history can be described as a process of social evolution
• Just as biological evolution is development of simpler
forms of life into more complex and highly organized forms of
life,
• social evolution (or social development) is a process of
• growth of complexity and differentiation of social
organization (cooperation between human beings,
coordination of human activities)
• *See Stephen Sanderson, Social Transformations. Blackwell, 1995, Ch. 1 - and
• Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. Norton, 1997, 1999
• For an interesting discussion of theories of social evolution, go to:
• Science and Society: OVERVIEW PAGE
• In other words,
• It is a process of creation and development of new, more
complex, and more effective forms of social organization.
• It takes place under the influence of ecological, demographic,
technological and economic factors
From band to state
The prehistoric band
• Band – a small community bound by blood ties
– Not centralized, egalitarian (belief that everyone should be treated
the same or equally and all should have the same rights) (low
inequality), low division of labour (mostly gender-based),
– Decisions are made collectively.
– Unity is based on customs and traditions
• Hunter and gatherer societies
The tribe
• Tribe – a group of bands united for a common purpose
– In order to survive, humans tend to form bigger groups.
– Also egalitarian: power is dispersed throughout the tribe.
– Leaders are first among equals, they don’t have the means to
compel tribesmen to obey. Custom, tradition, ritual, religious
belief are the main tools to maintain social order.
• Agricultural societies (farming, animal husbandry)
The chiefdom
• Chiefdom – a transitional form on the way from tribe to state.
– A larger society with more developed division of labour, higher
productivity, which means that there is surplus product to use
beyond mere subsistence.
– Private property appears, inequality grows, people are more and
more divided by class.
– Power is increasingly separate from society, as power over society.
– Authority is formalized (institutionalized) in the office of the chief,
which can be filled by different people. The chief has means of
compelling members of society (military force)
• Develops in agricultural societies, which increasingly rely on slave
labour
• Appears about 10,000 years ago
God Horus
– symbol of
Pharaoh’s
The Pharaoh
supreme
power
The
Pharaoh’s
Tax collector
enemy
Enemy
soldiers
killed
– Contract = Constitution