Extra important long questions and answers from the chapter "State" in Class 11 Political Science:

1. Define the state and explain its essential elements.

Answer:

The state is a political organization with a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and sovereignty. It is the highest political authority in a society.

Essential Elements of the State:

Population:

A state must have people to govern. The size of the population varies in different states.

Territory:

A fixed geographical area is necessary for a state to exist. It includes land, airspace, and water bodies.

Government:

It is the administrative system that runs the state. It enforces laws and maintains order.

Sovereignty:

The supreme power of the state to make decisions independently without external control.

Without any of these elements, a state cannot function properly.

 

2. What is sovereignty? Explain its types.

Answer:

Sovereignty refers to the supreme and absolute power of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Types of Sovereignty:

Internal Sovereignty:

The state's authority over all individuals and institutions within its territory. It controls law-making and administration.

External Sovereignty:

The state's independence from foreign control. It has the right to make its own foreign policies and maintain diplomatic relations.

Sovereignty ensures that a state remains free from external influence and can function independently.

 

3. Differentiate between the state and government.

Answer:

Though closely related, the state and government are different:

Feature	State	Government
Definition	A permanent political entity with a defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty.	The temporary system through which the state is governed.
Duration	Permanent	Temporary (changes with elections)
Components	Population, territory, government, sovereignty	Executive, legislature, judiciary
Example	India, USA, UK	Modi Government, Biden Administration

The government is a part of the state but does not define it.

 

4. What is the difference between a state and a nation?

Answer:

The state and nation are often confused, but they are different concepts:

Feature	State	Nation
Meaning	A political entity with sovereignty and government.	A cultural group with shared language, history, or ethnicity.
Elements	Population, territory, government, sovereignty.	Common culture, tradition, language, race.
Example	India, USA, UK	Kurds, Jews, Tamils (before forming a state).

A nation-state exists when a nation has its own sovereign state, such as Japan and France.

 

5. Explain the different theories regarding the origin of the state.

Answer:

There are several theories about the origin of the state:

Divine Right Theory:

States that the king's authority comes from God.

Supported by medieval European monarchies.

Rejected by modern democratic ideals.

Social Contract Theory:

Proposed by

Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau

.

People agreed to form a state for protection and order.

Forms the basis of modern democracy.

Force Theory:

States emerged through conquest and war.

Powerful groups established control over weaker ones.

Evolutionary Theory:

The state developed gradually from families, clans, and tribes.

Each theory explains different aspects of state formation.

 

6. What is a welfare state? How is it different from a police state?

Answer:

A welfare state is a state that actively works for the well-being of its citizens by providing essential services like education, healthcare, employment, and social security.

A police state, on the other hand, focuses only on law enforcement and military control. It restricts individual freedoms and suppresses opposition.

Differences:

Feature	Welfare State	Police State
Focus	Public welfare and development	Control and surveillance
Citizens' Rights	Ensured and protected	Restricted
Example	Sweden, Norway	North Korea, Nazi Germany

Modern states aim to be welfare states, ensuring both security and social welfare.

 

7. Describe Aristotle’s classification of government.

Answer:

Aristotle classified governments based on the number of rulers and their intentions:

Type	Rule By	Good Form	Corrupt Form
One	Monarchy	Dictatorship
Few	Aristocracy	Oligarchy
Many	Polity (Republic)	Democracy

According to Aristotle, monarchy is good if the ruler is just, but it turns into a dictatorship if the ruler becomes corrupt. Democracy, if uncontrolled, can lead to mob rule.

 

8. What is a unitary state? How is it different from a federal state?

Answer:

A unitary state is one where all powers are concentrated in the central government (e.g., UK, France). A federal state divides power between central and regional governments (e.g., USA, India).

Differences:

Feature	Unitary State	Federal State
Power Distribution	Centralized	Shared between central and state governments
Constitution	Flexible	Rigid
Example	UK, China	India, USA

A unitary state ensures strong central control, while a federal state provides regional autonomy.

 

9. What are the main functions of the state?

Answer:

The state performs various functions to maintain stability and development:

Law and Order:

Enforcing laws to prevent crime and protect citizens.

Security:

Maintaining armed forces for

defence

.

Public Welfare:

Providing education, healthcare, and social services.

Economic Development:

Regulating trade and industries.

Foreign Relations:

Managing diplomatic ties with other nations.

A well-functioning state ensures the prosperity of its citizens.

 

10. Explain the role of globalization in shaping modern states.

Answer:

Globalization affects states in several ways:

Economic Impact:

Increased trade and investment opportunities.

Political Influence:

International organizations (UN, WTO) affect policy-making.

Cultural Exchange:

Shared ideas, technology, and migration.

Challenges to Sovereignty:

Global issues like climate change require international cooperation.

States must balance national interests with global responsibilities.

 

11. Explain Jean Bodin's theory of sovereignty.

Answer:

Jean Bodin, a French political philosopher, introduced the concept of sovereignty in the 16th century. He defined sovereignty as the absolute and perpetual power of the state.

Key Features of Bodin’s Sovereignty:

Absolute Power:

The sovereign (king/government) has the highest authority.

Indivisibility:

Sovereignty cannot be shared or divided.

Permanence:

It remains with the state regardless of changing governments.

No External Control:

A sovereign state is free from foreign interference.

Bodin’s theory influenced monarchical rule in Europe, but in modern democracies, sovereignty is divided between different institutions.

 

12. How does democracy ensure political sovereignty?

Answer:

In a democracy, political sovereignty lies with the people, who elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Ways Democracy Ensures Political Sovereignty:

Free and Fair Elections:

Citizens choose their leaders through regular elections.

Rule of Law:

No one is above the law, ensuring equality.

Fundamental Rights:

Citizens have rights such as freedom of speech and expression.

Separation of Powers:

Power is distributed among the

executive, legislature, and judiciary

to prevent misuse.

Unlike monarchies or dictatorships, democracy ensures that sovereignty remains with the people and is exercised through elected representatives.

 

13. What is the role of political parties in the functioning of a state?

Answer:

Political parties are essential for the smooth functioning of a democratic state. They act as a bridge between the government and the people.

Roles of Political Parties:

Representation:

They represent different sections of society and their interests.

Forming Government:

The party with a majority forms the government and runs the administration.

Policy Making:

They propose policies and laws based on their ideology.

Providing Opposition:

Opposition parties

criticize and question the government’s actions

, ensuring accountability.

Public Awareness:

They educate people about government policies and political issues.

Political parties help maintain political stability and ensure public participation in governance.

 

14. Describe the differences between direct and indirect democracy.

Answer:

Democracy can be classified into Direct Democracy and Indirect Democracy based on citizen participation.

Feature	Direct Democracy	Indirect Democracy
Meaning	Citizens directly participate in decision-making.	Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Where it Works	Small communities, ancient city-states like Athens.	Large, modern nations like India, USA.
Methods	Referendums, public gatherings.	Elections, parliamentary discussions.
Examples	Switzerland (referendums).	India, USA, UK.

Modern democratic states use indirect democracy because direct democracy is impractical in large populations.

 

15. Why is the state considered a necessary institution in society?

Answer:

The state is essential because it provides a structured system for governance and ensures order in society.

Importance of the State:

Maintains Law and Order:

The state enforces laws to protect citizens from crime and violence.

Provides Security:

It maintains armed forces to protect against external threats.

Promotes Welfare:

It provides

education, healthcare, and employment

to citizens.

Ensures Justice:

It sets up

courts and legal systems

to resolve disputes.

Regulates Economy:

It

controls inflation, taxation, and trade policies

for economic stability.

Protects Sovereignty:

It ensures that

no foreign power controls its policies

.

Without the state, society would fall into anarchy, leading to chaos and disorder.

 

Explain the distinctions between state and society, state and Association.

1. Distinction Between State and Society

Though state and society are closely related, they are not the same. The state is a political institution, while society is a broader social system that includes all human relationships.

Basis of Difference	State	Society
Definition	A political organization with a defined territory, government, and sovereignty.	A social system that includes all human relationships, customs, and institutions.
Scope	Narrow (concerned with governance, law, and order).	Broad (includes culture, economy, traditions, religion, etc.).
Regulation	Controls only political and legal matters.	Regulates social norms, customs, and moral values.
Use of Force	Uses legal force to enforce laws.	Works on voluntary cooperation; no legal enforcement.
Membership	Compulsory for all citizens within its territory.	Voluntary; individuals can belong to multiple societies.
Nature	Political and legal in nature.	Social and moral in nature.

Conclusion:

The state is a part of society, but society is much broader and includes many elements like family, religion, economy, and culture, which the state does not control.

 

2. Distinction Between State and Association

The state and an association are different in terms of their functions, authority, and purpose.

Basis of Difference	State	Association
Definition	A sovereign political organization that governs a country.	A group of individuals with a common purpose (e.g., trade unions, clubs, political parties).
Authority	Has supreme power over all citizens.	Has limited authority within its members.
Membership	Compulsory for all people within its territory.	Voluntary; people can join or leave freely.
Laws and Rules	Laws apply to all citizens and are legally binding.	Rules apply only to members and are not enforced by the state.
Use of Force	Can use legal force to maintain order.	Cannot use force; depends on voluntary discipline.
Example	India, USA, UK (sovereign states).	Red Cross, Rotary Club, Student Unions, Trade Unions (associations).

Conclusion:

An association is a voluntary group, while the state is a sovereign entity that governs all citizens within its territory.