Home
/
Social Science
/
1. Review Shortly and Clearly the Following Rival Theories and Role of State? Features and Element of State Cost Answers for the

Question

1. Review shortly and clearly the following Rival Theories and role of State? Features and element of state cost answers for the following questions.

Solution

Expert Verified
4.6 (292 Votes)
Quentin Expert ยท Tutor for 3 years

Answer

Let's review rival theories of the state and its role, along with its core features and elements.**Rival Theories of the State:*** **Pluralism:** Power is dispersed among various interest groups, and the state acts as a neutral arbiter mediating between them. No single group dominates.* **Elitism:** Power is concentrated in the hands of a small elite group, who control key institutions and make decisions that benefit their own interests. The state serves this elite.* **Marxism:** The state is an instrument of class rule, used by the ruling capitalist class to maintain its dominance over the working class. It protects private property and enforces capitalist relations of production.* **New Right:** The state tends to overexpand and intervene excessively in the economy and society, hindering individual liberty and market efficiency. A smaller, less interventionist state is preferred.**Role of the State:**The role of the state is a subject of ongoing debate and varies depending on the theoretical perspective adopted. Generally, states are expected to:* **Maintain order and security:** Enforce laws, protect citizens from internal and external threats.* **Provide public goods and services:** Infrastructure, education, healthcare, etc. that are often not efficiently provided by the private sector.* **Regulate the economy:** Manage markets, protect consumers, ensure fair competition.* **Redistribute wealth:** Through taxation and social welfare programs.* **Represent the nation in international affairs:** Diplomacy, treaties, etc.**Features and Elements of a State:*** **Population:** A state must have people residing within its territory.* **Territory:** A defined geographical area over which the state exercises sovereignty.* **Government:** The institutions and processes through which a state exercises power and authority.* **Sovereignty:** The supreme authority within a territory, independent of external control. The state has the ultimate power to make and enforce laws within its borders.It's important to note that these theories and roles are not mutually exclusive. Real-world states often exhibit characteristics of multiple theories simultaneously. The specific role and functions of a state can also vary significantly based on historical, cultural, and political factors.