Ch4

• What is the main focus of Chapter Four in MCED 1011?


  The chapter discusses the notion of state, government, and citizenship.
• What are the key topics covered in Chapter Four?

  The chapter covers definitions, dimensions, theories of state, government, and citizenship.
• What will students be able to do after completing the lesson in Chapter Four?

  Students will be able to define state, government, citizen, nationality, and citizenship.
• What is one of the objectives of Chapter Four?


  To understand the contending theories of state, government, and citizenship.
• What does the chapter aim to teach about the rights and duties of citizens?


  It aims to discern the rights and duties of citizens in relation to good citizenship attributes.
• What are the essential features of the state according to the chapter?


  The essential features include population, defined territory, government, and sovereignty.
• How is the term 'state' defined in the chapter?


  The term 'state' refers to a collection of institutions, a territorial unit, and an instrument of coercion or oppression.
• What are the four perspectives from which the state has been understood?


  The four perspectives are idealist, functionalist, organizational, and international.
• What does the idealist perspective on the state emphasize?


  It emphasizes the state as an ethical community underpinned by mutual sympathy.
• What is a drawback of the idealist perspective on the state?


  It fosters an uncritical reverence for the state and fails to distinguish between state institutions and those outside the state.
• What do functionalist approaches to the state focus on?


  They focus on the role or purpose of state institutions in maintaining social order.
• What is a weakness of the functionalist view of the state?


  It tends to associate any institution that maintains order with the state itself.
• How does the organizational view define the state?


  It defines the state as the apparatus of government responsible for the collective organization of social existence.
• What is the international approach to the state concerned with?


  It views the state as an actor on the world stage and its relations with other states.
• What are the four features of a state according to the Montevideo Convention?


  A defined territory, permanent population, effective government, and sovereignty.
• Why is population considered an essential element of the state?


  Because the state is a human association and cannot exist without people.
• What does homogeneity in a state's population refer to?


  It refers to common factors like religion, language, or culture among the population.
• What is the significance of having a defined territory for a state?


  A defined territory is essential as it establishes the geographical boundaries of the state.
• What does the term 'sovereignty' imply in the context of a state?


  Sovereignty implies the highest power of the state, distinguishing it from other associations.
• What are the two aspects of sovereignty?


  Internal sovereignty and external sovereignty.
• What does internal sovereignty imply?


  It implies that there can be no other authority inside the state that claims equality with it.
• What does external sovereignty imply?


  It implies that the state should be free from foreign control of any kind.
• What is the fifth essential attribute of the state recognized by contemporary political theorists and the UN?


  Recognition as a state by a significant portion of the international community.
• Why is recognition important for a state?


  It allows a political unit to be accepted as a state with an 'international personality' and act legally on the international stage.
• What are the rival theories of the state mentioned in the chapter?

  The pluralist state, capitalist state, leviathan state, and patriarchal state.
• What does the pluralist theory of the state suggest?


  It suggests that the state acts as an 'umpire' or 'referee' in society.
• What is the historical origin of the pluralist view of the state?


  It can be traced back to the social-contract theories of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
• How does Hobbes view the necessity of the state?


  He believes stability and order can only be secured through an absolute and unlimited state.
• What is Locke's view on the purpose of the state?


  He believes the state is restricted to the defense of natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
• What does pluralism assert about power in liberal democracies?


  It asserts that power is widely and evenly dispersed within liberal democracies.
• What are the essential attributes of the state as defined in the chapter?


  • Population
  • Defined Territory
  • Government
  • Sovereignty
  • Recognition (contemporary view)
• What are the main rival theories of the state discussed in the chapter?

  • Pluralist State
  • Capitalist State
  • Leviathan State
  • Patriarchal State
• What are the key differences between Hobbes and Locke regarding the state?


  • Hobbes: Advocates for an absolute and unlimited state for stability.
  • Locke: Supports a limited state focused on protecting natural rights.
• What are the primary responsibilities of the state according to the study material?


  Maintenance of domestic order and protection of property
• Why must citizens enjoy some form of protection against the state?


  Because the state may threaten natural rights as easily as it may uphold them
• What did Locke believe was necessary for citizens to be protected against the state?


  Mechanisms of constitutional and representative government
• What is the pluralist theory of the state?


  • Power is widely and evenly dispersed in liberal democracies
  • The state is neutral and influenced by various groups and interests
  • The state does not favor any particular interest or group
• According to Schwarzmantel, how is the state characterized in relation to society?


  The state is ‘the servant of society and not its master’
• What are the two key assumptions of the pluralist view of the state?


  The state is subordinate to government and the democratic process is meaningful and effective
• How do modern pluralists view the state compared to classical pluralists?


  Modern pluralists adopt a more critical view, acknowledging complexities and less responsiveness to popular pressures