Introduction to Political Science “Theories on the Nature of the State” 21st August, 2014 LECTURE No 6

The Nature of the State This lecture will attempt to establish the following: The Nature of the Socialist State The Nature of the Welfare State The Nature of the Liberal State

The Nature of the State (Cont...) 1 SOCIALIST STATE Socialist regards the State as a positive good. Therefore, instead of minimum possible State action, socialists want the maximum of it. They believe that this is the only way by which social justice can be made possible for the bulk of mankind. Under socialist state there would be a common ownership of the means of production and exchange-and wages would be according to needs.

The Nature of the State (Cont...) Some socialists advocate equal distribution, others equitable distribution. Accordingly the ‘Socialist State’ is formed. Main features of Socialist State 1. Eliminates Capitalism Socialist State wants to eliminate capitalism which led to unequal distribution of wealth.

Nature of the State (Cont...) It divided the society into two classes - ‘rich and poor’, ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ and the “exploiter and exploited” and created wide gulf between the two. Socialist state seeks to cure all the evils of the capitalism such as injustice, inequality, class war etc by abolishing it.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 2. Opposes Competition Socialist State tries to eliminate all forms of competition. It wants to have cooperation instead of competition between the employers and workers. It tries to substitute cooperation for competition.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 3. Economic Equality for all Socialist State tries to secure economic equality for all by abolishing the wide gaps between different sections of the society. It stands for the principle of economic equality. It opposes the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few people. It aims to bridge the gap between the rich and poor so that opportunities are enjoyed by all equally

Nature of the State (Cont...) 4. Opposes private property Socialist State tries to abolish the institution of private property. It regards private property as theft and source of all evils in the society. It declares that land and capital should belong to all and not to a privileged few.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 5. Social control of means of production Socialist State stands for public control of the means of production. It wants to abolish private enterprise. It wants to nationalise all the factors of production. Factors of production should be used by the people for the people. In other words, it aims at introducing state enterprise in the field of production and distribution for common good.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 6. Emphasis on society Socialist State lays more emphasis on society than the individual welfare to social welfare. It gives importance to the larger interests of the society as against the narrow and selfish interests of the individual. Social welfare is the main consideration of production. It means, under socialist state only those things will be produced which are needed by the society.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 7. Rewards the worker on the basis of needs \Socialist State believes in rewarding the worker in proportion to the value of his labour. Its slogan is: “From each according to his ability to each according to his needs”.

Nature of the State ( 2 THE WELFARE STATE The term ‘the welfare state’ a state which exists for its people. The emergence of the concept of the welfare state has added a new dimension to the discussion on the end and functions of the state. The idea of Welfare State is not new to political theory. It is as old as political thought. Ancient western political thinkers like Plato and Aristotle maintained that the purpose of the state was the welfare of the people.

Nature of the State (Cont...) Features of Welfare State The following are the basic features of the Welfare State 1. Emphasises the worth of man Welfare State emphasises the worth and dignity of the individual and helps and assist him to lead a respectable life in the society. It regards all individuals on an equal footing irrespective of their social and economic status.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 2. Undertakes progressive measures Welfare State tries to implement progressive measures like land reforms, agricultural development, It also undertakes price control, public distribution system of essential commodities, provision of health, education, sanitation, communications etc.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 3. Undertakes wide-range of Social Services Welfare State undertakes wide-range of social services for the betterment of its citizens. It established schools, hospitals and other institutions to meet the needs of the people. It provides unemployment relief, maternity benefit, old-age and other social benefits.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 3. Liberal State Liberals regards the State intervention as a negative good. Therefore, instead of maximum State action, liberals want minimum of it. They believe that this is the only way by which competition can be made possible for the bulk of mankind. Under liberal state there would be private ownership of the means of production and exchange-and wages would be according to ability.

Nature of the State (Cont...) Key Features of a Liberal State Promotes Capitalism Liberal theory of the State promotes capitalism which is based on competition and market forces.

Nature of the State (cont...) Promotes Competition Liberal State tries to promote all forms of competition. It wants to have competition instead of cooperation between the business enterprises.

Nature of the State (Cont...) 4. Promotes private property Liberal State tries to promote the institution of private property. It declares that land and capital should belong to private individuals and not to the state.

Nature of the Liberal State 5. Economic control of means of production Liberal State stands for economic or private control of the means of production. It wants to abolish public enterprise. It wants to privatise all the factors of production. In other words, it aims at introducing private enterprise in the field of production and use economic methods for distributing the common good.

.. END OF LECTURE 6