State – political Science – class 11
I. Long Answer Questions
1. Define State. Discuss its elements.
Definition: The State is a political organization of people living in a definite territory, under a government, and possessing sovereignty. According to Garner, “The State is a community of people permanently occupying a definite territory, independent of external control, and possessing an organized government.”
Elements of State:
1. Population – People are the basis of the State. Without population, there is no State.
2. Territory – A fixed geographical area within which the people live.
3. Government – The political organization which makes and enforces laws.
4. Sovereignty – The supreme power of the State to make laws and take decisions independently.
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2. What is State? Discuss its most distinctive element.
State is a political association with four essential elements: population, territory, government, and sovereignty.
The most distinctive element of the State is Sovereignty, because without sovereignty the State cannot exist. Other associations may have population, territory, and organization, but only the State has supreme power (sovereignty).
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3. What is State? Explain the difference between State and Government.
State is a permanent political organization with population, territory, government, and sovereignty.
Differences:
1. Permanence – The State is permanent, but governments change (e.g., elections bring new governments).
2. Scope – The State is wider, it includes people, territory, and sovereignty. Government is only an organ of the State.
3. Sovereignty – Sovereignty belongs to the State, not to the government. Government exercises power on behalf of the State.
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4. Define State. Explain the distinction between State and Society.
State is a political organization with sovereignty.
Society is a broad social organization of people sharing culture, values, and institutions.
Differences:
1. Scope – Society is broader, including family, religion, economy, and culture. The State is only a part of society.
2. Force – State uses law and force to maintain order; society works mainly on customs, traditions, and morality.
3. Sovereignty – Only the State has sovereignty; society does not.
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5. Define State? Why do we need the State?
Definition: The State is a political organization with sovereignty, population, territory, and government.
Need for State:
1. To maintain law and order.
2. To provide security from external aggression.
3. To ensure justice and equality.
4. To promote welfare and development of citizens.
5. To regulate economic and social life.
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6. Discuss the four Essential Elements of State.
The four essential elements are:
1. Population – The people living in the State.
2. Territory – The fixed geographical boundary.
3. Government – The organization that makes and enforces laws.
4. Sovereignty – The supreme power of the State, both internal and external.
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II. Short Questions
1. What is State?
A State is a political association of people living in a definite territory under a government and enjoying sovereignty.
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2. What is Government?
Government is the agency or machinery through which the will of the State is expressed and enforced. It makes laws, implements them, and ensures justice.
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3. What is Sovereignty?
Sovereignty is the supreme power of the State to make laws and enforce them within its territory without any external control.
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4. What is Society?
Society is a community of people who live together, share culture, traditions, values, and institutions. It is broader than the State.
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5. What is an Association?
An Association is an organized group of people who come together voluntarily to achieve common objectives, e.g., trade unions, clubs.
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6. Discuss Territory as an essential element of State.
A definite geographical area is necessary for the existence of a State. Without territory, there can be no boundaries, no jurisdiction, and hence no State.
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7. Why do we need the State?
We need the State to maintain law and order, protect citizens, provide justice, regulate society, and promote welfare.
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8. Explain two main distinctions between the State and Government.
1. The State is permanent; Government changes.
2. Sovereignty belongs to the State, not to the Government.
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9. What are the internal and external dimensions of sovereignty?
Internal Sovereignty – Supreme power of the State within its territory.
External Sovereignty – Freedom of the State from external control in its international relations.
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10. Discuss two main differences between the State and Society.
1. State is a political organization with sovereignty; society is a social organization without sovereignty.
2. State uses laws and force; society works through customs, traditions, and morality.
