State (lecture-based) Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the three principles in defining the concept of the state
A. Concept of the state is historically embedded
B. Concept of the state overlaps with concepts of the society, the economy, etc.
C. Every model of a state presupposes a model of a man
Concept of the state is ___________ embedded
historically
Concept of the state (1) __________ with concepts of the (2) _________, the (3) ____________
(1) overlaps
(2) society
(3) economy.
To see the concept of the state as historical, a central component of its definition is how it’s _____________ has evolved.
history
Every model of a state presupposes a _________________
model of a man
When it comes to the concept of the state as being historically embedded, what does this mean?
This mean that the concept of the state is not fixed and has always been historically embedded.
What concept did Ma’am used when it comes to describing the principle of “the state being historically embedded?”
Ma’am used “Democracy” as an example.
Citing that our definition of democracy may not be applicable in the ancient world. Why? For example, back in Greece, only the male Greeks can vote and have democratic rights.
So why can’t we fix eternal concepts in the social sciences?
We can’t fix eternal concepts in the social sciences because we deal with humans and humans are not fixed, they are forever changing. They evolve in history and human conditions also evolve in history.
If humans are not fixed and are constantly changing, and human conditions change in history, what does this mean for our concepts?
This means that concepts that were used to capture these conditions in history change as well.
When discussing the evolution of the concept of the state, in ancient times, the concept of state was seen as?
The state as seen as natural.
For example, Aristotle believed that the state was a natural production and that man is a political animal
In short, in ancient times, the concept of the state in relation to individuals was?
Prior to individuals
- meaning the state was created prior to individuals
When discussing the evolution of the concept of the state, in medieval times, the concept of state was seen as?
Divine law or supranational
For example, St. Augustine believed that the state was created in order to make sure individuals stay good.
In short, in medieval times, the concept of state in relation to individual was?
Divinely ordained.
- meaning the state was created or divinely ordained by God.
When discussing the evolution of the concept of the state, in modern times, the concept of state is seen as?
Artificial
For example, state being artificial means that the state being the product of intentional human manufacture rather than occurring naturally through process not involving or requiring human activity.
In short, in modern times, the concept of state in relation to individual was?
Prior to the state
- meaning the concept of state was only introduced prior to the creation of state
For the second principle, that the state overlaps with the concepts of the society, the economy, the political, etc. What does this second principle mean?
The second principle basically means that the concept of the state does not exist in a vacuum but instead overlaps with other concepts.
When talking about how concepts overlap with other concepts, what exactly does this mean?
That concepts do not denote distinct or specific areas of life but instead are conceptual tools or techniques that help analyze our real life situations
- For example in speech, the word “cat” is meaningful because we are able to differentiate it from words like bat, hat, rat.
How does principle #2 on the concept of the state relates to our course?
Although POLSC 123 focuses only on politics, there are no political, sociological, and economical spheres. Instead each spheres overlap with one another.
What kind of overlap on the concept of state does this definition talk about?
Every society has a state which sets down law that govern social interactions, from the very social such as traffic to even the most private such as marriage?
State-Society overlap
What kind of overlapping on the concept of state does this definition talk about?
Every state is also an economic function both in terms of ensuring that rules of contract between businesses as well as market forces are enforced.
State-economic overlap
What kind of principle when it comes to the concept of the state does this definition or explanation talk about?
Theories purport to represent a reality as it is. Theories claim to be the truth but in reality, they are as much as a reflection of the value system or the theoretical training of the thinkers.
3rd principle: Every model of a state presupposes a model of a man
What does the third principle, “Every model of a state presupposes a model of a man” states?
This basically means that theories are simply a value system or the theoretical thinking of the thinkers.
For example:
When Locke said that the ideal state is one which leaves the individual to pursue his happiness. This is an assumption that humans/individuals are in the best judgement is the same as the interest of the state.
