1. 4 Theories that explain The origins of the state.
Unit 1 Origins of the Government

2. 1. The force theory The state was born by force.
One person or group claimed control and forced all within that area to submit to that person’s rule
The physically stronger person became chief of the tribe and then they fight other tribes
“survival of the fittest” in some sense
Once force was taken then all 4 elements of a state were present.
Weaknesses – Force cannot be the only element that creates and preserves power. History has proven that those who come to power by force are overthrown by force.

3. 2. The evolutionary theory
The state was developed naturally out of the early family
Head of the house is the head of the family
As the family developed networks of families became clans which became tribes and then a state was born
Religion has played a huge part in this- 12 tribes of Jacob become the land of Israel

4. 3. The divine right theory
Started with Aztecs, Mayan, Egyptians, China, Japan and then very accepted in the 15th -18th centuries by the Europeans
God created the state
God gave “divine right” to rule: royalty was only accountable to God because he created the state
Opposition to this would have been treason and a mortal sin
Weaknesses – State is not a divine institution, only explains one form of government (monarchy).

5. 4. The Social contract theory
Human beings in their unpleasant conditions agreed together to create the state
A contract was agreed upon and within that contract the people only gave as much power that was need to keep them safe.
This power was given to a government voluntarily from free people
The state only exists to sever the will of the people
The people are the sole source of political power and that they are free to give or withhold power from the government
This theory promotes the ideas of popular sovereignty, limited gov’t, and individual rights.