Theories of State - CF

Question 1

Define the ‘state’ as per Max Weber.

Answer 1

“The state is a human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.”

Question 2

What is the Liberal Theory of the State primarily focused on?

Answer 2

Protection of individual rights, limited government, rule of law, and free-market economy.

Question 3

How does John Locke define the purpose of law?

Answer 3

“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.”

Question 4

What is Hobbes’ view on the state of nature?

Answer 4

A state of war—’solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short’—requiring absolute authority to avoid chaos.

Question 5

How does Rousseau differ from Hobbes and Locke on sovereignty?

Answer 5

Sovereignty lies in the ‘general will’ representing collective interests, not a ruler or individual rights.

Question 6

How does Locke justify revolution?

Answer 6

If government violates natural rights, people have the right to alter or abolish it.

Question 7

Define sovereignty according to Jean Bodin.

Answer 7

‘Sovereignty is the absolute and perpetual power of a republic.’

Question 8

What is John Austin’s view on sovereignty?

Answer 8

It lies with the determinate human superior—legal positivism backed by sanctions.

Question 9

What differentiates Classical Liberalism from Positive Liberalism?

Answer 9

Classical liberalism emphasizes negative freedom and minimal state; positive liberalism focuses on enabling individual development through welfare.

Question 10

How does Amartya Sen define freedom?

Answer 10

“Freedom is not only the most important human good but also the most basic human right.”

Question 11

What is the core claim of Marxist theory of the state?

Answer 11

The state is an instrument of class domination—’executive committee of the bourgeoisie.’

Question 12

What does Althusser mean by ‘ideological state apparatus’?

Answer 12

Institutions like media and education shape a false consciousness supporting the ruling class.

Question 13

What is meant by ‘relative autonomy’ in Marxist theory?

Answer 13

The state can act independently under pressure but ultimately upholds capitalist interests.

Question 14

How does Robert Dahl describe democracy in pluralist theory?

Answer 14

‘Polyarchy’—power is distributed among many interest groups that compete for influence.

Question 15

What is MacIver’s pluralist view of the state?

Answer 15

‘State is an association of associations’—not superior but regulatory in nature.

Question 16

What criticism does C. Wright Mills offer to pluralism?

Answer 16

True power is concentrated among a ‘Power Elite,’ contradicting the pluralist ideal.

Question 17

What does Friedrich Hayek warn against in ‘The Road to Serfdom’?

Answer 17

Centralized planning leads to loss of individual freedom and tyranny.

Question 18

What is Robert Nozick’s view of the ideal state?

Answer 18

A ‘night-watchman state’ that only protects life, liberty, and property—no redistribution.

Question 19

How does Frantz Fanon view decolonization?

Answer 19

A necessary violent act to restore native agency and dignity.

Question 20

What is Aime Cesaire’s view on colonialism?

Answer 20

It degrades both the colonized and the colonizer morally and spiritually.

Question 21

Give an example of post-colonial state challenges in India.

Answer 21

Continuation of colonial legal frameworks and bureaucratic elitism post-independence.

Question 22

What is an example of a pluralist democracy in action?

Answer 22

The U.S., where diverse lobbying groups influence policy on issues like climate or gun rights.

Question 23

How does globalization challenge sovereignty?

Answer 23

Rise of supranational bodies (EU, WTO), MNCs, and digital capitalism.

Question 24

What does Will Kymlicka say about multicultural challenges to the state?

Answer 24

Minorities need group-differentiated rights to maintain identity within liberal states.

Question 25

What is an example of relative autonomy of the state in India?

Answer 25

Labour reforms during pandemic to balance investor interests and worker protections.

Question 26

What is the core principle of the Neoliberal view of the state?

Answer 26

Minimal state intervention, free-market capitalism, and protection of property rights.

Question 27

Friedrich Hayek's view of economic planning?

Answer 27

"The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design."

Question 28

Milton Friedman on free markets?

Answer 28

"The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are... only whether they can produce."

Question 29

Criticism of Neoliberalism?

Answer 29

Promotes inequality, environmental damage, and undermines social cohesion (e.g. Enron scandal).

Question 30

What does Carole Pateman argue in *The Sexual Contract*?

Answer 30

Traditional political theory is gendered and excludes women from the "contract."

Question 31

What is Nancy Fraser’s dual model of justice?

Answer 31

Redistribution (economic) + recognition (cultural/gender) justice.

Question 32

What is Kimberlé Crenshaw’s key contribution to feminist political theory?

Answer 32

Intersectionality – multiple identities intersect to produce unique oppression.

Question 33

Sylvia Walby’s idea of social reproduction?

Answer 33

State has a role in care functions: childcare, healthcare, maternity leave etc.

Question 34

Chandra Mohanty’s critique of Western feminism?

Answer 34

Calls for pluralistic, context-sensitive feminism beyond Western templates.

Question 35

What does Frantz Fanon say about decolonization?

Answer 35

“The history of all developing countries... is a history of decolonization.”

Question 36

What does Edward Said's *Orientalism* argue?

Answer 36

West constructs the East as exotic, backward—justifying control.

Question 37

Aime Cesaire’s view on colonization?

Answer 37

It brutalizes both colonizer and colonized: “awakens buried instincts... race hatred.”

Question 38

Homi Bhabha on culture and power?

Answer 38

"Culture is both an effect of power and the medium through which power is exercised."

Question 39

What is Gayatri Spivak's idea of the subaltern?

Answer 39

“The subaltern cannot speak” – marginal voices are often silenced.

Question 40

Main distinction between State and Civil Society?

Answer 40

State is coercive and formal; civil society is voluntary and informal.

Question 41

How does Locke’s theory relate to both state and civil society?

Answer 41

Two contracts: one forms civil society among individuals; another creates the state.

Question 42

What role does civil society play in governance?

Answer 42

Acts as a check on the state, enabling citizen participation and accountability.

Question 43

Max Weber’s definition of the state?

Answer 43

Entity with a monopoly over legitimate use of force within a territory.

Question 44

Ernest Renan’s definition of a nation?

Answer 44

“A nation is a soul, a spiritual principle.”

Question 45

Example of nation without statehood?

Answer 45

The Kurds – a cultural community across several countries without a sovereign state.

Question 46

Modern relevance of nation-state distinction?

Answer 46

EU showcases pooled sovereignty among multiple nations; Catalonia highlights secessionism.

Question 47

What are the essential components of the state?

Answer 47

Population, territory, government, sovereignty, law, force, citizenship, services, political system, national identity.