Introduction
Among the first questions which political theory raises is: What is the origin of the state? Have men always loved under some form of political organization? If they have not, what are the causes that brought about the original establishment of government?
There are various theories concerning the beginnings of the state: the social contract theory, the divine right theory, the force theory, the patriarchal theory, the matriarchal theory and the evolutionary theory.
- Social Contract Theory
According the this theory, the state is the result of an agreement entered into by men who originally had no governmental organization. The history of the world is divided into two clear periods: the period before the state was instituted and the period after. In the first period there was no law, no government, men lived in a state of nature. After some time men decided to set up a government. Thereby, they parted with their natural liberty and agreed to obey the laws prescribed by the government. There are three proponents of the Social Contract Theory: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jack Rousseau.
- Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes (1588–1679) was an Englishman who lived in the days of the Civil War (1642–51). Hobbes was inclined towards absolutism. Hobbes starts with an analysis of human nature: man is essentially selfish; he is moved to action not by his intellect or reason but by his appetites, desires and passions. Men lived without any common power set over them. The life of man is solitary, poor, nasty British and short. The only way to peace is for men to give up so much of their natural rights as are inconsistent with living in peace. Men surrenders all their to the Leviathan, who is absolute and supreme and in return the Leviathan protects their lives.
- John Locke
John Locke (1632–1704). Locke's perspective is somewhat as follows: In the state of nature men are free and equal; each lives according to his own liking. This freedom, however is not license. There is a natural law or the law of reason which commands that no one shall impair the life, health, the freedom or the possessions of another. There is however no common authority to enforce the law of reason. The state is created through a contract in which individuals agree to give up to the community the natural right of enforcing the law of reason.
- Jean Jack Rousseau
Rousseau (1712–1778). Man according to Rousseau, is essentially good and sympathetic; the state of nature is a period of idyllic happiness, men being free and equal. Soon, however, with the introduction of private property and the growth of numbers, quarrels arise and man is compelled to give up his natural freedom. In this contract, every one surrenders to the community all his rights. The community therefore becomes sovereign.
2. The Theory Of Divine Origin
This theory is popularly known as the theory of the divine right of kings, states three simple propositions: the state has been established by an ordinance of God; its rulers are divinely appointed; they are accountable to no authority but God. Like James 1 of England told his Parliament:
'A king can never be monstrously wicked. Even if a king is wicked, it means God has sent him to punish the people for their sins and it is unlawful to shake off the burden which God has laid upon them. Patience, earnest prayer and amendment of their lives are the only lawful means to move God to relieve them of the heavy curse'.
3. The Theory Of Force
This theory may be stated thus: 'war begat the king'. The state is the result of the subjugation of the weaker by the stronger. A state is founded when a leader, with his band of warriors, gets permanent control of a definite territory of a considerable size. This may occur in one of two ways. The leader, after firmly establishing his position as ruler of his own tribe, extends his authority over neighbouring tribes until he comes to rule over a large territory.
4. The Patriarchal Theory
This theory is as follows: The unit of primitive society was the family, in which descent was traced through males and in which the eldest male parent was absolutely supreme. His power extended to life and death, and was as qualified over his children and their houses as over his slaves. The single family break ups into more families, which, all held together under the head of the first family (the chief or patriarch), become the tribe. An aggregation of tribes makes the state.
5. The Matriarchal Theory
As distinguished from the patriarchal theory, this theory holds that the primitive group had no common male head, and that kinship among them could be traced only through the woman.
6. The Evolutionary Theory
The generally accepted theory is known as the historical or evolutionary theory. It considers the state neither as a divine institution nor as a deliberate human contrivance; it sees the state coming into existence as the result of natural evolution. The state is a gradual and continuous development of human society out of a grossly imperfect beginning through crude but improving forms of manifestation towards a perfect and universal organization of mankind.
Conclusion
The origin and nature of the state have been debated by philosophers and scholars across centuries, yielding diverse theories. The Social Contract Theory posits that states arise from voluntary agreements among individuals to ensure mutual protection and stability. In contrast, the Divine Right Theory asserts that states are ordained by a higher power, with rulers deriving their authority from divine will. The Force Theory suggests that states are established through conquest and the exercise of power. The Patriarchal and Matriarchal Theories attribute the origin of the state to the extension of family structures, with authority resting in male former or female figures , respectively. Lastly, the Evolutionary Theory views the state as a gradual development from primitive societies to more complex forms of organization. Each theory offers insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of state formation, highlighting the diversity of human experience and political organization. By understanding these theories, we can better appreciate the complexities of state power and governance.
References
The Substance Of Politics: A. Appadorai
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