NCERT Textbook: Concept of State and Nation | NCERT Books & Solutions for Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


CONTENTS
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
III. THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF STATE
A. Theory of Kinship
Patriarchal Theory
Matriarchal Theory
Divine Theory
Social Contract Theory
IV. TYPES OF STATE
A. Oriental Empire
B. Greek City States
C. Roman Empire
D. Feudal States
E. Nation States
F . International Entities
V. ELEMENTS OF A STATE
A. Population
B. Territory
C. Government
D. Sovereignty
VI. ROLE OF A STATE
A. Minimal States
B. Developmental States
C. Social Democratic States
D. Collectivized States
E. Totalitarian States
F . Modern Welfare State
VII. CONCEPT OF A NATION
Chapter 1
Concept of State and Nation
Page 2


CONTENTS
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
III. THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF STATE
A. Theory of Kinship
Patriarchal Theory
Matriarchal Theory
Divine Theory
Social Contract Theory
IV. TYPES OF STATE
A. Oriental Empire
B. Greek City States
C. Roman Empire
D. Feudal States
E. Nation States
F . International Entities
V. ELEMENTS OF A STATE
A. Population
B. Territory
C. Government
D. Sovereignty
VI. ROLE OF A STATE
A. Minimal States
B. Developmental States
C. Social Democratic States
D. Collectivized States
E. Totalitarian States
F . Modern Welfare State
VII. CONCEPT OF A NATION
Chapter 1
Concept of State and Nation
3
1. Objectives: 
2. Think it over: 
1. To gain knowledge of the State with respect to:
origin and growth 
well-known definitions 
types 
2. Understand 
different  elements 
concept of a Nation
3. Apply knowledge 
while resolving a given problem-case study
doing research / reference work
Take this quiz to find out how much you know, by choosing the right option.
a. The State means people who
i. Live in distinct groups for their own benefit
ii. Share their resources for mutual benefit
b. A state would be formed by determining 
i. The resources available in an area
ii. Commonality of socio-economic life of people
c. Political activities in a state aim
i. To keep certain communities in  power to defend it
ii. To regulate the overall life and livelihood of the population
d. The term 'Machiavellian' refers to the practice of  
i. Cunning, deceit, and extrication as means to social success
ii. Sincere, honest and patriotic deeds for social upliftment
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 1 
Concept of State and Nation
Page 3


CONTENTS
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
III. THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF STATE
A. Theory of Kinship
Patriarchal Theory
Matriarchal Theory
Divine Theory
Social Contract Theory
IV. TYPES OF STATE
A. Oriental Empire
B. Greek City States
C. Roman Empire
D. Feudal States
E. Nation States
F . International Entities
V. ELEMENTS OF A STATE
A. Population
B. Territory
C. Government
D. Sovereignty
VI. ROLE OF A STATE
A. Minimal States
B. Developmental States
C. Social Democratic States
D. Collectivized States
E. Totalitarian States
F . Modern Welfare State
VII. CONCEPT OF A NATION
Chapter 1
Concept of State and Nation
3
1. Objectives: 
2. Think it over: 
1. To gain knowledge of the State with respect to:
origin and growth 
well-known definitions 
types 
2. Understand 
different  elements 
concept of a Nation
3. Apply knowledge 
while resolving a given problem-case study
doing research / reference work
Take this quiz to find out how much you know, by choosing the right option.
a. The State means people who
i. Live in distinct groups for their own benefit
ii. Share their resources for mutual benefit
b. A state would be formed by determining 
i. The resources available in an area
ii. Commonality of socio-economic life of people
c. Political activities in a state aim
i. To keep certain communities in  power to defend it
ii. To regulate the overall life and livelihood of the population
d. The term 'Machiavellian' refers to the practice of  
i. Cunning, deceit, and extrication as means to social success
ii. Sincere, honest and patriotic deeds for social upliftment
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 1 
Concept of State and Nation
4
e. The authority to run a Family is conferred on the member because of 
i. seniority
ii. status, competence
f. The theory that taught individuals to obey and support some definite ruler with a very 
high moral status is called the _______ Theory.
i. Divine
ii. Darwinian
g. The 'state of nature' ensured the rights of individuals relating to 
i. life, liberty, property
ii. survival, power, wealth
h. Nobles, Vassals and Serfs are classes of society that existed in the 
i. Feudal states
ii. Oriental states
i. Nature of population- which is uniform with respect to race, religion, language and 
culture?
i. homogeneous  
ii. heterogeneous 
j. To which cardinal principle has the U.N.O given its approval? Choose one.
i. Right to self-determination
ii. Right to life and property
Compare your answers and discuss what you have learnt.
The State is usually described as 'society politically organized'. Society is an association of 
human beings, who live a collective life and form social relations to fulfil their needs of life. That 
may be physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. The presence of the societal institutions 
like family, clans, tribes, villages, religious institutions, educational institutions, workplace 
associations etc. in a society is a fact, which cannot be denied. Society is the whole web of social 
relationship based on kinship affinity, language affinity, religious affinity, common conscience of 
individuals and territorial affinity. Social relationships are governed by necessity, custom, 
courtesy, morality, mutual understanding, agreement or even contract.
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
Page 4


CONTENTS
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
III. THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF STATE
A. Theory of Kinship
Patriarchal Theory
Matriarchal Theory
Divine Theory
Social Contract Theory
IV. TYPES OF STATE
A. Oriental Empire
B. Greek City States
C. Roman Empire
D. Feudal States
E. Nation States
F . International Entities
V. ELEMENTS OF A STATE
A. Population
B. Territory
C. Government
D. Sovereignty
VI. ROLE OF A STATE
A. Minimal States
B. Developmental States
C. Social Democratic States
D. Collectivized States
E. Totalitarian States
F . Modern Welfare State
VII. CONCEPT OF A NATION
Chapter 1
Concept of State and Nation
3
1. Objectives: 
2. Think it over: 
1. To gain knowledge of the State with respect to:
origin and growth 
well-known definitions 
types 
2. Understand 
different  elements 
concept of a Nation
3. Apply knowledge 
while resolving a given problem-case study
doing research / reference work
Take this quiz to find out how much you know, by choosing the right option.
a. The State means people who
i. Live in distinct groups for their own benefit
ii. Share their resources for mutual benefit
b. A state would be formed by determining 
i. The resources available in an area
ii. Commonality of socio-economic life of people
c. Political activities in a state aim
i. To keep certain communities in  power to defend it
ii. To regulate the overall life and livelihood of the population
d. The term 'Machiavellian' refers to the practice of  
i. Cunning, deceit, and extrication as means to social success
ii. Sincere, honest and patriotic deeds for social upliftment
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 1 
Concept of State and Nation
4
e. The authority to run a Family is conferred on the member because of 
i. seniority
ii. status, competence
f. The theory that taught individuals to obey and support some definite ruler with a very 
high moral status is called the _______ Theory.
i. Divine
ii. Darwinian
g. The 'state of nature' ensured the rights of individuals relating to 
i. life, liberty, property
ii. survival, power, wealth
h. Nobles, Vassals and Serfs are classes of society that existed in the 
i. Feudal states
ii. Oriental states
i. Nature of population- which is uniform with respect to race, religion, language and 
culture?
i. homogeneous  
ii. heterogeneous 
j. To which cardinal principle has the U.N.O given its approval? Choose one.
i. Right to self-determination
ii. Right to life and property
Compare your answers and discuss what you have learnt.
The State is usually described as 'society politically organized'. Society is an association of 
human beings, who live a collective life and form social relations to fulfil their needs of life. That 
may be physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. The presence of the societal institutions 
like family, clans, tribes, villages, religious institutions, educational institutions, workplace 
associations etc. in a society is a fact, which cannot be denied. Society is the whole web of social 
relationship based on kinship affinity, language affinity, religious affinity, common conscience of 
individuals and territorial affinity. Social relationships are governed by necessity, custom, 
courtesy, morality, mutual understanding, agreement or even contract.
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
5
When a society is governed by common set of laws, rules, regulations, and obey a supreme 
authority, it qualifies for being a State. The State fulfils the need of political organization of 
society to realize the purpose of collective living. This is what we understand from the famous 
phrases used by Aristotle (384 -322 BCE) in his treatise Politics, where he observed that 'Man is a 
social animal; Man is a political animal'.
Thus, the State is formed out of society. The Society is the primary association. A State is formed 
to regulate the political activity of individuals for social order. The State depends on society for 
its existence, and not vice versa.  
R.M. MacIver (1882-1970) in his famous work The Modern State has observed thus:'There are 
social forms like the family or church or the club, which owe neither their origin nor their 
inspiration to the state; and social forces, like custom or competition, which the state may 
protect or modify, but certainly does not create; and social motives like friendship or jealousy, 
which establishes relationships too intimate and personal to be controlled by the great engine 
of the state………. The State in a word regulates the outstanding external relationships of men 
in society.'
There is no accepted definition of the state and it has been differently defined by various writers 
from time to time. Machiavelli, in his book The Prince defined state 'as the power which has 
authority over men'. Notwithstanding the disagreement amongst there writers, most of them 
agree in ascribing to the state the three elements: people, territory and government. 
Disagreement became prominent in respect of the fourth element, that is, sovereignty. 
However, the concept of the state is the central theme of the political theory. The state is a 
social Institution that evolves according to the socio- economic conditions of society. The state is 
only an aspect of the whole social system.  State is a particular portion of society politically 
organized for the protection and promotion of its common interests. It is main political 
consciousness which formed the state. 
An illustrative list of definitions provided some of the leading political thinkers is provided 
below:
Harold J. Laski (1893-1950), a British political philosopher in his literary work An Introduction to 
Politics (1931) defines State as 'a territorial society, divided into government and subjects 
claiming within its allotted physical area supremacy over other associations'.
Aristotle (384-322 BCE) defines State as 'an associations of families and villages for the sake of 
attaining a perfect and self -sufficient existence'.             
Salmond defines state as 'an association of human beings established for the attainment of 
certain ends by certain means, the ends being defence against external enemies and the 
maintenance of peaceable and orderly relations within the community itself.’
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
Page 5


CONTENTS
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
III. THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF STATE
A. Theory of Kinship
Patriarchal Theory
Matriarchal Theory
Divine Theory
Social Contract Theory
IV. TYPES OF STATE
A. Oriental Empire
B. Greek City States
C. Roman Empire
D. Feudal States
E. Nation States
F . International Entities
V. ELEMENTS OF A STATE
A. Population
B. Territory
C. Government
D. Sovereignty
VI. ROLE OF A STATE
A. Minimal States
B. Developmental States
C. Social Democratic States
D. Collectivized States
E. Totalitarian States
F . Modern Welfare State
VII. CONCEPT OF A NATION
Chapter 1
Concept of State and Nation
3
1. Objectives: 
2. Think it over: 
1. To gain knowledge of the State with respect to:
origin and growth 
well-known definitions 
types 
2. Understand 
different  elements 
concept of a Nation
3. Apply knowledge 
while resolving a given problem-case study
doing research / reference work
Take this quiz to find out how much you know, by choosing the right option.
a. The State means people who
i. Live in distinct groups for their own benefit
ii. Share their resources for mutual benefit
b. A state would be formed by determining 
i. The resources available in an area
ii. Commonality of socio-economic life of people
c. Political activities in a state aim
i. To keep certain communities in  power to defend it
ii. To regulate the overall life and livelihood of the population
d. The term 'Machiavellian' refers to the practice of  
i. Cunning, deceit, and extrication as means to social success
ii. Sincere, honest and patriotic deeds for social upliftment
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 1 
Concept of State and Nation
4
e. The authority to run a Family is conferred on the member because of 
i. seniority
ii. status, competence
f. The theory that taught individuals to obey and support some definite ruler with a very 
high moral status is called the _______ Theory.
i. Divine
ii. Darwinian
g. The 'state of nature' ensured the rights of individuals relating to 
i. life, liberty, property
ii. survival, power, wealth
h. Nobles, Vassals and Serfs are classes of society that existed in the 
i. Feudal states
ii. Oriental states
i. Nature of population- which is uniform with respect to race, religion, language and 
culture?
i. homogeneous  
ii. heterogeneous 
j. To which cardinal principle has the U.N.O given its approval? Choose one.
i. Right to self-determination
ii. Right to life and property
Compare your answers and discuss what you have learnt.
The State is usually described as 'society politically organized'. Society is an association of 
human beings, who live a collective life and form social relations to fulfil their needs of life. That 
may be physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. The presence of the societal institutions 
like family, clans, tribes, villages, religious institutions, educational institutions, workplace 
associations etc. in a society is a fact, which cannot be denied. Society is the whole web of social 
relationship based on kinship affinity, language affinity, religious affinity, common conscience of 
individuals and territorial affinity. Social relationships are governed by necessity, custom, 
courtesy, morality, mutual understanding, agreement or even contract.
I. EMERGENCE OF THE STATE FROM SOCIETY
5
When a society is governed by common set of laws, rules, regulations, and obey a supreme 
authority, it qualifies for being a State. The State fulfils the need of political organization of 
society to realize the purpose of collective living. This is what we understand from the famous 
phrases used by Aristotle (384 -322 BCE) in his treatise Politics, where he observed that 'Man is a 
social animal; Man is a political animal'.
Thus, the State is formed out of society. The Society is the primary association. A State is formed 
to regulate the political activity of individuals for social order. The State depends on society for 
its existence, and not vice versa.  
R.M. MacIver (1882-1970) in his famous work The Modern State has observed thus:'There are 
social forms like the family or church or the club, which owe neither their origin nor their 
inspiration to the state; and social forces, like custom or competition, which the state may 
protect or modify, but certainly does not create; and social motives like friendship or jealousy, 
which establishes relationships too intimate and personal to be controlled by the great engine 
of the state………. The State in a word regulates the outstanding external relationships of men 
in society.'
There is no accepted definition of the state and it has been differently defined by various writers 
from time to time. Machiavelli, in his book The Prince defined state 'as the power which has 
authority over men'. Notwithstanding the disagreement amongst there writers, most of them 
agree in ascribing to the state the three elements: people, territory and government. 
Disagreement became prominent in respect of the fourth element, that is, sovereignty. 
However, the concept of the state is the central theme of the political theory. The state is a 
social Institution that evolves according to the socio- economic conditions of society. The state is 
only an aspect of the whole social system.  State is a particular portion of society politically 
organized for the protection and promotion of its common interests. It is main political 
consciousness which formed the state. 
An illustrative list of definitions provided some of the leading political thinkers is provided 
below:
Harold J. Laski (1893-1950), a British political philosopher in his literary work An Introduction to 
Politics (1931) defines State as 'a territorial society, divided into government and subjects 
claiming within its allotted physical area supremacy over other associations'.
Aristotle (384-322 BCE) defines State as 'an associations of families and villages for the sake of 
attaining a perfect and self -sufficient existence'.             
Salmond defines state as 'an association of human beings established for the attainment of 
certain ends by certain means, the ends being defence against external enemies and the 
maintenance of peaceable and orderly relations within the community itself.’
II. DEFINITIONS OF STATE
6
J.L. Brierly defines state as 'an institution, that is to say,… a system of relations which men 
establish among themselves as a means of securing certain objects, of which the most 
fundamental is a system of order within which their activities can be carried on.' 
Political philosophers have given different theories on the origin of the state.
The theory of kinship on the origin of State is based on sociological facts. The earliest advocate 
of this theory is Aristotle (384-322 BCE). In his treatise Politics Aristotle states 'Society of many 
families is called a village and a village is  most naturally composed  of the descendants of one 
family, the children and the children's children…, for every family is governed by the elder, as 
are the branches thereof, on account of their relation, there unto…. and when many villages so 
entirely join themselves together as in every respect to form but one society, that society is 
state and contains in itself that perfection of government.'
In other words, family was the unit of society at the beginning. The blood relationship and 
kinship brought the members of the family together and they all accepted the authority of the 
head of the family. The name of the common ancestor was the symbol of kinship.  Kinship 
created society and society in turn created the State. With the expansion of family arose new 
families and multiplication of families led to the formation of clans. With the expansion of clans, 
tribes came into existence and ultimately the state came into existence. Family discipline, 
command and obedience are supposed to represent the origin of government. This view finds 
support from the writings of R.M. MacIver (1882-1970) according to which curbs and controls that 
constitute the essence of government is first seen in the family. There is a difference of opinion 
among the scholars regarding the nature of kinship. 
According to Patriarchal Theory, in the origin and development of State, the eldest male 
descendant of the family had an important role to play. The Patriarchal theory finds its support 
from Sir Henry Maine (1822-1888). In his book The Spirit of Laws (1861), Maine explained that 
the state developed out of the family as legitimate legal system developed out of the 
unrestrained autocracy of the family head (patria potestas). Under patria potestas, the eldest 
male parent of the family had the final and unqualified authority over the family and the 
household. He expanded the family ties by polygamy and thus created the bondage among the 
individuals on the basis of kinship to form a state. The congregation of families formed villages, 
and extension of villages formed tribes or a clan, ultimately to form State.
III. THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF STATE
Theory of Kinship
Patriarchal Theory