The SlideShare introduces you to the political concept state; it gives the theories of the states and the differences between the state and society.

1. CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN
AFRICA.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
SPO101: Introduction to Political Science.
Room TH 04.
Lecture 2
Instructor: Mr. Omondi Okwany.
January-April 2017

2. The State
A legal person recognized by International law with the following
attributes;
• An effective government
• A defined territory
• A permanent population
• Independence or the right to enter into relations with other
states(Oyugi, 1994, Pg. 5).

3. THEORIES OF THE STATE
• Platos republic (Plato 429-384BCE) Guardian, Auxilliary
and Appetite
• Teleologoical theory (Aristotle 384-322 BCE) Family-
Village/Clan-Community-State
• Social cotract theory (Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques
Rousseau and John Locke) social order, common good,
general will.
• Force theory (Marxist and Neo-Marxists) the bourgeoisie
(Haves) vs Ploretariat (have-not).

4. Westphalian Treaty
According to the Westphalian treaty (1648) a state is an entity with the
following attributes; -
• Well defined territory (Land and space).
• Population (nation, people, citizens).
• Government (constitution, rules, laws,).
• Sovereignty (indepencence).

5. State vs Society
Eddy Asirvatham and K.K Misra,
Book: political theory (2008) Page 52-54.
Purpose Organization Method
State To make and enforce a
permanent system of law
and order
Single legal organization Coercion or force
Society Society has many
purposes including moral,
religious, intellectual,
economic, recreational,
students etc
It comprises many
organizations; these
organizations give
opportunity to members to
move from one to another
in case of force.
Voluntary action.

6. Reference
• Asirvatham, E., & Misra, K. (2008). Political Theory, New Delhi, S.
Chand and.(chapter 4).
• Easton, D. (1953). The political system: Knopf New York.
• Sinclair, T. A. (1962). Aristotle the politics: Penguin Books.