Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 9 Society, State and Nation Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 9 Society, State and Nation
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Define Society. Explain the characteristics of Society.
Answer:
Man is by nature a social animal and he cannot live without a society. A man who does not five in a society is either a beast or a God.
Meaning and Definitions of Society:
Whenever a number of people unite together to carry out some definite purpose, they make a society. It is the most general form of human organization. But it is to be noted that the individuals who wander aimlessly in the street or gather in a picture-house without any common purpose among them do not constitute a society. In simple words common purpose and interest is the basis for the formation of any society.
Different writers have given different definitions of society:
- According to Dr. Jenks, “The term society means harmonious or at least peaceful relationship.”
- According to Ginsberg, “A society is the collection of individuals united by certain relation of modes of behaviour which mark them from others, who do not enter into those relations or who differ from them in behaviour.”
- According to Maclver, “Society includes every willed relationship of man to man.”
- According to Summer and Keller, “Society is a group of human beings living in co¬operative efforts to win subsistance and perpetuate the species.”
- According to Wright, “It is not a group of people, it is the system or relationship that exists between individuals or groups.”
- According to Giddings, “Society is a group of individuals cooperating for the achievement of any objective of common interest or utility.”
- According to G.D.H. Cole, “Society is the complex of associations and institutions within the community.”
- According to Leacock, “Society suggests not political relations by which men are bound together, but the whole range of human relations and collective activities.”
On the basis of above definitions we may define society as a group of people, large or small, who are combined together for the achievement of some definite aim or common purpose or plan with common effort. For instance there exist many societies like the Royal Asiatic Society, the Scientific Society and the Historical Society etc. for the welfare of the people.
The society may be local like a cricket club or may be national like national trade union or even it may be international like Red Cross Society which maintains its branches in every part of the world. In the ancient times societies existed in a very simple form because the desires of the people were limited and few.
But, the modem society is complex in nature because of increased desires as a result of advancement of culture and civilization. Thus many associations and organizations may exist in one wide society. Hence in the true sense, society is an assemblage of such associations through which men develop their physical, mental and spiritual qualities for human welfare.
Characteristics Of Society:
1. A Group of Persons:
Society is a group of persons living and working together in a spirit of peace and harmony for the satisfaction of their common wants and the promotion of their common good. It is a group of human beings living together and working together to achieve a common purpose for a common good, through their joint efforts.
2. Common Aims:
Persons living in a society have common interests and common wants for the attainment of which they work together and live together. Societies as Aristotle said were formed for the sake of good life. But they are maintained afterwards for the sake of good life. Thus the aim of society is to promote the good life of the members. Common needs and common interests of the members of the society give them common activities which serve as a bond of unity among the members of society. Unity gives strength and solidarity to the group.
3. Mutual Cooperation:
The individual is dependent on the society for the various needs. His ideas and actions are coloured by the society in which he lives. He is what the society makes him. As life becomes more complex, the necessity of living in society grows more urgent. From the early childhood to full grown manhood, the individual needs society at every stage of his life. He cannot satisfy his material needs for food or shelter without the co-operation of others. He cannot solve the problem of security of protection by his isolated efforts. Hence a good and happy life is possible only through co-operation.
4. Voluntary Membership:
The membership of a state is compulsory while that of a society is voluntary. An individual may become the member of a society or may not or he may become the member of the more than one society. State and family are two natural associations of which an individual must be a member. But once he accepts the membership of a society he must abide by the rules and regulations of that society. .
5. Equality among Members of the Group:
All the members of society irrespective of caste, colour, creed and sex must enjoy equal rights. There should be no discrimination against any member of the society. No member should be above the rules of the society and no member should enjoy special privileges. Majority decisions should be final.
6. Loyalty to the Group:
Lack of discipline creates a confusion and chaos and so all the members of the group must show perfect loyalty to that group by thoroughly observing the rules of discipline. All the members should be loyal to the organisation. Strength, permanance and unity can be had in the organization only if all the members are thoroughly disciplined.
7. Aims of Society:
The society always aims at the development of the individual. It provides the individual with all those opportunities or facilities with which he can develop his powers and faculties to the fullest extent. Moreover, the society aims at general welfare and not merely looks to the benefit of a particular section of people. The ultimate aim of society consists in the development of national life, cultural and ideal as constrasted with individual personality.
8. Fulfilment of Social Instinct:
According to Aristotle, “Man is a social animal.’ Man wants to live in society for the fulfilment of his social instinct. He cannot lead life in isolation. He possesses an instinct of gregariousness. If there is anybody who wants to lead an isolated life, he is either a god or a beast. Man’s social instinct is satisfied only if he leads a group life.
Conclusion:
We can conclude in the end that the proper progress of life is impossible without society. A man can develop his personality and be at his best only in society. It is because man lives in society that he proudly calls himself, “The top and crown of all creation.” Society enables man to live happily.
Question 2.
Define State and discuss its essential elements.
Or
Discuss the essential elements of a State.
Answer:
State is the main subject of Political Science, but the term ‘State’ is used in many ways due to which it is difficult for a common man to understand the proper meaning of the word ‘State’. Generally distinction is not made between State, Society and Nation and ordinarily the people use the word State for society, country, nation, government etc. But from Political Science point of view, it is not correct because all these terms have different meanings.
Many times the word State is used for the federating units and for the federation. For example, the word ‘State’ is used for United States of America as well as the units of U.S.A. Similarly the word ‘State’ is used for India and for its units. Punjab, Bengal, Haryana, U.P., M.P. etc. are often called states but in fact these are not states. For a student of Political Science it is essential to know the meaning of term ‘State’.
Etymology of the word State:
The word ‘State’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Status’. The term ‘Status’ means social status of a man. In ancient times, no distinctioin was made between state and society. Hence the word ‘state’ was used to connote social status. But gradually its meaning changed and during the time of Cicero it was used for the status of the whole society.
In modern sense this term was used for first of all by Machiavelli, a great political scientist of Italy, in the book ‘The Prince’. In ‘The Prince’ Maehiavelli writes “All the powers which have had and have authority over men are states (state) and are either monarchies or republics.” Explaining the importance of the word ‘State’ as used by Machiavelli, Sir Earnest Barker writes, “The word ‘State’ when it came into use in England during the sixteenth century, brought with it from Italy the idea of a high ‘State’ or stateliness vested in some one person or some body of persons.”
Definition of State. According to Garner, there are as many definitions of the state as much is the number of writers. Different writers have given definitions from their own point of view. Some writers on the basis of source, some on the basis of elements, some on the basis of the origin of the state and some on the basis of aims of the state has defined the word ‘State’.
1. According to Aristotle, “State is a union of families and villages having for its end a perfect and self-sufficing life by which we mean happy and honourable life.” But Aristotle’s definition cannot be used in modem times as Aristotle has not made any distinction between state and society. Moreover, Aristotle’s definition has not mentioned territory and sovereignty.
2. According to Bluntschli, “State is politically organised people of a definite territory.”
3. According to Oppenheim, “The State exists when people are settled in a country under its own sovereign Government.”
4. According to Laski, “The State is a territorial society divided into government and subjects claiming within its alloted physical area a supremacy over all other institutions.”
5. According to Woodrow Wilson, “The State is a people organised for law within a definite territory.”
6. According to Gamer, “The State, as a concept of Political Science and Public Law, is a community of persons, more less numerous, permanently occupying a defined portion of territory, independent or nearly so of external control, and possessing an organised government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience.”
7. According to Gilchrist, “The State is a concept of Political Science and exist when a number of people, living on a definite territory are unifed under a government which in internal matters is the organ for expressing their sovereignty, and in external matters is independent of other governments.”
8. According to Bodin, “The state is an association of families and their common possessions governed by Supreme Power and by reason.”
9. According to Burges, “The State is a particular portion of mankind viewed as an organised unit.” .
10. According to Maclver, “The state is an association which acting through law as promulgated by a government endowed to this end with corecive power maintains within a community territorially democrated the universal conditions of social order.”
Among all these definitions, Garner and Gilchrist’s definitions are considered the best one because in these definitions all the four elements i.e. population, territory, government and sovereignty are clearly mentioned.
Elements of State:
On the basis of different definitions of State, we can say that state is a group of people having sovereignty, living in a fixed territory under the control of an organised Government. This definition of ‘state is based on four elements: Population, Fixed territory, Government and Sovereignty. It is true that different writers have stressed different elements. Some have emphasised Population, Government and Sovereignty and others have stressed Population, Territory and Government. But modem writers agree with the fact that state has four elements and state can’t exist without any one of them.
These elements are given below:
1. Population
2. Fixed Territory
3. Government
4. Sovereignty.
1. Population:
Population is the main element of state. State is not a group of animals and birds. It is a political institution of human beings. Existence of State can’t be imagined without population. No fixed rules are there to fix the limit of population, but sufficient population is needed for the state. Ten to twenty people can’t make a State.
However, difference of opinions exist among the writers about number of persons in a state. According to Plato, the number of population in a ideal state should be 5040. But according to Aristotle the number of population should neither be too small nor too large, but large enough to be self-sufficing and small enough to be well governed.
In other words, according to Aristotle population of the state should not be 50-60 because with this number the state cannot become self-sufficient and at the same time it should not be ten lakhs because such a big population is not controlled properly. Rousseau was a supporter of direct democracy, hence he fixed the population of a state at ten thousand and remarked that larger the population of state, less and liberty of the people.
But in the present time it is not possible to fix the population of the state. Modem tendency is in favour of states with huge population. Population of Communist China is about 135 crores whereas that of India more than 130 crores. Population of Russia is about 20 crores, and that of U.S.A. 30 crores.
But on the other hand there are very small states like San Marino and Monaco which have population of about 25 thousand and 32 thousand respectively. There are also countries which have the population in lakhs. Luxemburge has the population of 4 lakhs whereas that of Switzerland is more than 70 lakhs. For some countries large population becomes a big problem.
For example for India large population is problem and government is emphasising family planning so that the growth of population is checked. But there are states which encourage the couples to produce more children. Before World War in Germany as in Italy state prizes to the couple were offered who produced children above a fixed number. But those who were issueless and the married they were heavily taxed by the state.
But seeing the population of the modern states, we can say that it is not only difficult but rather impossible to fix the population of the state. But still we agree with the view expressed by Aristotle that the population of the state should be large enough to be self-sufficing and well governed. In fact the population of the state should be to such an extent that the masses of that state lead a happy and prosperous life.
2. Fixed Territory:
Just as population is an essential element of the state, similarly fixed territory is an essential attribute of the state. But some scholars do not consider fixed territory as an essential element of the state. According to Jellinek before 19th century no writer had included territory in the definition of the term ‘State’. Kulber was the first writer who wrote and talked about the element of territory. Seeley and Duguit have not regarded fixed territory as an essential element of the state. In the words of Duguit, “Territory is not an indispensable element in the formation of state.”
But modern writers are not ready to accept this view. According to them, without fixed territory there can be no state. If masses are the soul of the state then fixed territory is the body of the state. According to Bluntschli, “As the state has its personal basis in the people, so it has its material basis in the land. The people do not become a state until they have acquired a territory.
So long as the people do not occupy a fixed territory, state cannot come into existence. Nomadic tribes and gypsies who wander from one place to another do not constitute a state because they do not have fixed territory. Before T948 Jews were scattered all over the world but they could not form a state because they were having no fixed territory. But when they started living on a fixed territory of Israel, then Israel became a state. In fact this element of the state made state separate from other associations.
Meaning of State Territory:
When we say that territory, is essential for the state then territory does not mean only a part of land but it means land, water and air. All the rivers, mountains, lakes and the mineral resources which are within the area of the state, are included in the territory. If sea is along the land then certain miles of that set is also a part of the territory of the state. The air¬space over the land is also included in the territory of the state.
Limits of State Territory:
Just as population cannot be fixed for the state, similarly no definite limit can be laid down about the territory. In ancient times the area of Greek City-states was very small. In those days the means of transportation and communication had not much developed. In those days small city-states were preferred for the successful running of direct democracy because all the people were personally acquainted with one another and hence could easily assemble together for some discussion or to take some decision. But modern age is a scientific age.
Means of transport and communication are fully developed and it is not difficult to administer a vast territory. Today, big states have been established. There are countries, like China, India, Russia, America etc. whose territory spreads into lakhs of squre miles. At present the largest territory is under the jurisdiction of Russia. The area of Russia is 17,075,000 square Kilometre while that of Canada is 9,976,139 square kilometre.
But there are also countries with small territories like Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein Vatican, Luxumberge etc. which have 1.95 sq Km., 61 sq Km., 160 sq Km., 0.44 sq Km., 2586 sq Km. areas of land respectively. But in internationalism all countries are equal. For example, in the United States all member-states are equal. In the modem age that state is considered more powerful and important which is having a large territory because in a large territory there are more natural resources.
3. Government:
The third essential element of a state is government. People inhabiting a certain territory cannot by themselves constitute a state, until and unless there is a political organisation of the people. Such a political organisation is the government. Government is that agency which formulates, expresses and fulfils the collective will of the people. Without the government masses cannot be organised. In the words of Garner, “Without a government the population would be an incoherent, unorganised anarchic mass with no means of collective action.”
In a state government can be of any type. In India, U.S.A., England, Switzerland, Canada, France, Germany etc. there is a democratic form of government while in China, Cuba, North Korea, etc. there is a dictatorship of the communist party. In Nepal there is a monarchy. In some states there is a parliamentary form of government, while in some there is a presidential government. In Japan, India, England etc. there is a parliamentary government, while in U.S.A. there is a presidential government.
In some state there is a federal government, while in some there is a unitary government. In U.S.A., Switzerland and India there is a federal government, while in Japan and in England there is a unitary government. It is immaterial which form of government exists in a state because government is changeable. With a change of government the status of state does not change. Whatever the form of government, every government has three main functions- law-making, enforcement of law and interpretation of law.
To perform, these three main functions there are three organs of the government,
(1) Legislature,
(2) Executive and
(3) Judiciary.
The government should be powerful enough to maintain law and order and should be able to defend its territory against any sort of foreign aggression.
4. Sovereignty:
The fourth essential element of the state is sovereignty. Population, fixed territory and government cannot constitute a state unless there is sovereignty also. The word sovereignty is derived from Latin word Superanus which means supreme. In this way sovereignty means the supreme power of the State. State possesses supreme right and no body can disobey the state. Due to sovereignty state is having full control over all the citizens and their associations. It also implies freedom from control from any outside authority. According to Laski, “It is the possession of Sovereignty that the state is distinguished from all other forms of human associations.” Sovereignty is of two types-Internal Sovereignty and External Sovereignty.
(i) Internal Sovereignty:
Internal sovereignty implies that the state has full control over all individuals, associations, institutions, and organisations within the state. No one can challenge its authority. If anyone disobeys the orders of the state, state has a right to punish him. The will of the state is supreme and must prevail under all circumstances and in all cases. Sovereignty cannot be divided among the different associations within the state.
Some people think that in a federal government internal sovereignty is divided between the Centre and the states. But this view is not correct. Internal sovereignty cannot be divided. In a federation, instead of sovereignty, powers are divided between the Centre and the units.
(ii) External Sovereignty:
External sovereignty implies that outside the state there is no institution of power which can compel the state to do certain things which state is not otherwise interested to do. A sovereign state is complete independent. It is absolutely free to determine its policy towards other states. If the policies of a country are controlled by other countries then it means that country is not state. Before 1947 India was under the control of Great Britain, hence it was not a state.
But India got independence on 15th August, 1947 and then India became a state. International treaties and agreements are made by the will of the state. To be a member of the United Nations is not against the external sovereignty of the state because to become a member of the United Nations is the will of the state concerned. The United Nations cannot be called a state, because it does not give sovereign powers to its members. Similarly Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh etc. are not states because they don’t possess sovereignty which is with India. Thus there are four essential elements of the state and if out of these four elements one element is missing, state cannot be established.
Can any element be called the most important one ? Ordinarily, this question is raised which of the four elements of the state is the most important. Every element in its own place is important and if one element is missing we cannot have a state. We cannot think of a state without population. Without fixed territory we cannot have a state. Peace and order cannot be established without a government.
Government formulates, expresses and fulfils the collective will of the state. Fourth element of the state i.e., sovereignty is very important because other three elements are available in other associations also but sovereignty is possessed only by the state. Sovereignty is the only element which draws a line of demarcation between the state and the other associations and hence state is the highest association.
That is why some writers give more importance to sovereignty than other elements. In the word of Gettell, “The state is not the people, nor the land, nor the government, but all of them and in addition the state must possess that unity which makes it a distinct and independent political unity.”
But the truth is that all the four elements are essential elements for the formation of the state. In the words of Gettell, “The absence of any one of these elements destroys the state, all must exist in combination.”
Question 3.
Distinguish between State and Society.
Answer:
In ancient time no distinction was made between the State and the government. Aristotle has not made any distinction between state and society. For Plato and Aristotle state was society. It was due to the reason that at that time city-state was so small that it was very difficult to make a distinction between state and society. Greek city-states covered all aspects of human life-State was not only a political organisation, but it was also a religious, economic and cultural institution.
Hence it was natural not to make a distinction between state and society. In the modern age Hegel and Bosanquet have not made any distinction between state and society. Hitler and Mussolini have also not considered any distinction between state and society. Mussolini remarked, “Everything within a state, nothing outside the state and nothing against the state.”
But State and Society are not one. Maelver has rightly said that, “To identify the social with the political is to be guilty of the grossest of all confusions, which completely bars any understanding of either society or of the state.”
Following are the differences between State and Society:
1. Society is prior to the State:
According to Aristotle man is a social animal by nature and necessity. From the beginning man is living in the society. With the advent of man on earth, society began. But state was established at that time when political organisation with the society was established. Political organisation was established when men realised the necessity of peace and political consciousness was created among them. Thus state was established after the formation of a society.
2. Aim of Society is wider than that of State:
Aim of the society is wider, whereas the aim of the state is narrow. Aim of the society is development of all aspects of individual life. It is concerned not only with the political relations of man but with the whole range of human relations such as religious, educational, recreational, economic, social etc. But the state is mainly concerned with the political aspect of individual life.
3. Society is larger than the State:
Size of the state is small in comparison to the size of society. If we take a broader view of the word ‘Society’ then we can include whole humanity in it. For example members of Hindu Samaj are in many countries-India, Pakistan, Canada, Great Britain etc. Hence the size of society is larger than the State.
4. Definite territory is essential for the State, not for the Society:
Definite territory is an essential element of the state and without it there can be no state. But for a society definite territory is not essential. The group of people who wish to form a society may live in a particular country or may be scattered all over the world. Before the establishment of Israel, Jewish society was spread all over the world. Red Cross Society has its branches all over the world.
5. State is organised, Society can be organised as well as unorganised:
Political organisation is very essential for a State. Without political organisation (government) there can be no government. Government is an essential element of the state and will of the state is expressed through it. But society includes organised as well as unorganised communities.
When there was no state man lived in family and in tribes and these tribes wandered from place to place but still there was society though it was unorganised. With the establishment of government organisation came into society and with this state came into being.
6. State possesses sovereignty, Society does not:
Sovereignty is an essential element of the state. State has a power to issue orders and get them obeyed. Those who disobey the laws of the state, they are punished by the state. But the society has no such power through which it can enforce its rules. Society can only make rules for the guidance of man’s conduct. But if anyone disobeys the rules of society, he cannot be punished by the society. At the most, society can exert moral pressure but it is up to the people whether to obey rules of the society or not.
7. Society regulates both External and Internal activities of man while state regulates only the external activities of man. State is concerned with the external activities of man and not with the internal, whereas society is concerned with both. State regulates the external activities of man through its laws. State can take action against the activities of the individual but when a man thinks, state has nothing to do with that. But society is concerned not only with external activities but also with what man thinks.
8. The rules of State are different from the rules of Society:
Rules, and laws and the state are definite and clear and they are enacted by the legislature. But rules of the society are based on customs traditions and conventions and hence they are not definite and clear.
Conclusion:
Prom the above discussion it is clear that clear-cut distinction exists between the State and the Society. This distinction is not only theoretical but practical also. State’s sphere is political and it should not interfere in the social life of the individual. If it interferes then it becomes a totalitarian state. However, modern state is a welfare state and hence it cannot interfere into religion, culture, language and morality etc. of the people.
Though State and Society are different entities, yet they are closely related and interdependent. According to Barker “Society is held together by the state and if it were not held together, it could not exist.” Though state is an organ of the society, but society is maintained by state and if the state does not maintain the society, state will cease to exist.
In the words of Barker, “State and society have the same moral purpose. They lend and borrow from each other.” In the end we can say that though both are closely related yet they are not one. Laski has rightly said that, “the state may set the keynote of the social order but it is not identical with it.”
Question 4.
Define ‘Nation’ and discuss the distinctions between ‘Nation’ and ‘State’.
Answer:
Various terms which are generally used in Political Science have been defined differently by different writers. The term ‘Nation’ has also been defined in various ways. Different writers have defined this term from different points of view. These view-points can be divided into three parts:
1. Ethnic view;
2. Cultural and Psychic view;
3. Political view.
These three view-points are explained as follows:
1. Ethnic view:
The word ‘Nation’ comes from the Latin word ‘natus’ which means ‘bom’. A nation, therefore, means a people having common origin of coming from a common stock. The definitions given from this point of view are as follows:
- According to Burgess, “A nation is a population of an ethnic unity, inhabiting a territory of a geographic unity.”
- According to Leacock, “Nation is a union of men having racial or ethnographic significance.”
Comments:
In the ancient times the oneness of community or race may have been the basis of a nation but in the modem age this view is not acceptable. No community or a race can call itself absolutely pure. Therefore, this view-point is not acceptable because it does not suit the present conditions.
2. Cultural and Psychic View:
Some people are of the opinion that a nation refers to the large number of people in a state who are bound together by certain emotional and cultural ties and who have a feeling of oneness. They feel that the feeling of oneness is the result of same language, religion, culture, history and traditions. The definitions given from this point of view are as ahead:
Society, State And Nation:
(i) According to Bluntschli, “Nation is a union of masses of men .bound together, specially by language and customs in a common civilization which give them a sense of unity and distinction from all foreigners.”
(ii) According to Barker, “A nation is a community of persons living in a definite territory and there by bound together by the bonds of mutual love.” Comments. This view-point is comparatively better than the one given before. One thing is quite clear now that psychological and spiritual unit is quite essential for the building up of a nation.
3. Political View:
The modern writers generally take the meaning of a nation as a political organisation. Most of the writers are of the opinion that the nation does not only mean that group of people which has a cultural and spiritual unity but it should also have a political unity.
Following definitions have been given from this point of view:
- According to Hyes, “A nationality by acquiring unity and sovereign independence becomes a nation.”
- According to Gilchrist, “Nation is the State plus something else the unit of the people organised in one State.”
Comments:
Most of the writers now-a-days consider nation a political institution but this view-point is not wholly correct. It is not proper to use the word ‘nation’ from political point of view. According to J. W. Garner, “ a nation is not necessarily a people organized as a State nor is a State essentially a nation.”
From the above discussion we can conclude that no single point of view can justifiably define or interpret nation. No point of view is complete in itself, there is some truth in every point of view. In a nutshell we can say that a nationality is a group of people bound together by certain ties like religion, culture, traditions, conventions and literature, etc. in such a manner that they have a sense of oneness. One nation, one state principle in the modern times is the most important one.
Difference Between State And Nation:
Ordinarily no difference is considered between nation and nationality. Nation comes very near to the State. Union of states is often called the union of nations, e.g., League of Nations, United Nations Organisation. In the modern age we find nation state which are formed on the basis of ‘one nation, one State’ principle.
The theory of one nation, one state itself points out towards the distinction between state and nation. According to this theory every nation should have the right to form a state and the states formed in this manner are called natural states. It implies that there can be state without the nation and there can be nation without the state.
Following points would make the distinction between the nation and the state clear:
1. State has four essential Elements:
State has four essential attributes- population, territory, government and sovereignty. Out of these, if there is even the lack of one element, the state cannot come into existence. We don’t need any of the four elements for the making of a nation. Nation is an association organised through cultural and spiritual feelings.
Nation can come into existence only when the people get conscious of unit. e.g., themselves into one group. That one group must have the feeling of oneness and that is possible only if the people have the same language, religion, culture, traditions and conventions etc. The elements of a nation may change and they go on changing, but the elements of state are permanent and they are always the same.
2. Idea of oneness is Essential for the Nation but not for the State:
Only that group of people can be called a nation which has sense of unity, but it is not essential in the case of a State. In case of State, it is essential that the people should be politically organised. Before Bangladesh’s coming into existence Pakistan was certainly a State but it was not a nation.
3. Definite Territory is essential for the State but not for the Nation:
State is a territorial organisation and it is only a definite territory. Nation is connected with the feeling of unity and not with any fixed territory. The members of an association or an organisation may be limited to small territory and they may also be spread all the world over.
4. There can be Many Nations in one State and Many States in one Nation:
Austria-Hungary was a single State before World War I, although there was no sense of spiritual unity among her people. In fact, she was a State having two distinct nations-Austria and Hungary within its fold. This proves that there can be many nations in one State. Pakistan and Bangladesh were two nations but they were one State. It is now that Pakistan and Bangladesh are two different States. On the other hand, one nation may be divided into two States, as North Korea and South Korea are one nation but they are two different States.
5. Sovereignty is essential for the State and not for the Nation:
State has the elements of sovereignty and it is essential for the existence of the State. The nation does not have any sovereignty. Nation attempts at attaining freedom and when it wins it, it gets sovereignty and with it also becomes a State and starts using its sovereignty. Now Bangladesh has become a State and the sovereignty which previously was in the hands of the rulers of Pakistan, now rests with the rulers of Bangladesh.
6. The State can Neither Create a Nation Nor End a Nation:
Due to the element of sovereignty, the State has control over all its citizens and other foreigners living in its territory and also controls the associations and other organisations but- the State can neither create that sentiment for unity in the hearts of the people which is essential for the making of a nation nor it can end a nation. We can very well see the things in our own case. The English tyrannized over the Indians for a long time but despite that they could not become a hindrance in our uniting as a nation.
Despite all these differences it would not be wrong to say that as in the modem times, on the basis of one nation, one State theory, national states are emerging, the nation and the state are coming close to each other.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What do you understand by Society?
Answer:
Society is a group of persons living and working together in a spirit of peace and harmony for the satisfaction of their common wants and the promotion of their common good. It is a group of human beings living together and working together to achieve a common purpose for a common good, through their joint efforts.
- According to Dr. Jenks, “The term society means harmonious or at least peaceful relationship.”
- According to Maclver, “ Society includes every willed relationship of man to man.,
- According to Giddings, “ Society is a group of individuals co-operating for the achievement of any objective of common interest or utility.”
- According to Wright, “Society is not a group of people, it is the system or relationship that exists between individuals or groups.”
Question 2.
Write down any four characteristics of society.
Answer: .
- Group of Persons: Society is a group of persons living and working together in a spirit of peace and harmony for the satisfaction of their common wants and the promotion of their common good.
- Voluntary Membership: The membership of a state is compulsory while that of a society is voluntary.
- Mutual Co-operation: The individual is dependent on the society for various needs.
- Social Instinct: Society provides the individuals with all those opportunities or facilities with which he can develop his powers and faculties to the fullest extent.
Question 3.
Describe the meaning of the word state.
Answer:
The word “State’ is derived from the Latin word “Status’. The term ‘Status’ means social status of a man. In ancient times, no distinction was made between state and society. But gradually its meaning changed and during the time of Cicero it was used for the status of the whole society. In modern times this term was used for first of all by Machiavelli. State is a superior organisation to all other associations.
Different writers have given different definitions of the State. According to Bluntschli, “ State is politically organised people of a definite territory.” According to Garner, “ The State, as a concept of political science and public law, is a community of persons, more or less numerous. Permanently occupying a defined portion of territory, independent or nearly so of external control, and possessing an organised government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience.”
Question 4.
What are the essential elements of a State?
Answer:
There are four essential elements of a state. These elements are:
1. Population
2. Fixed territory
3. Government
4. Sovereignty.
1. Population:
Population is an essential element of the State. No fixed rules are there to fix the limit of population, but sufficient population is needed for the state.
2. Fixed Territory:
So long as the people do not occupy a fixed territory state cannot come into existence. Territory does not mean only a part of land but it means land, water and air. All the rivers, mountains, lakes and mineral resources which are with in the area of the state are included in the territory.
3. Government:
People living in a certain territory cannot by themselves constitute a state until and unless there is a political organisation of the people. Such a political organisation is the government. In a state the government can be of any type.
4. Sovereignty:
Sovereignty means the supreme power of the state. State possesses supreme rights and nobody can disobey the state. Due to sovereignty state is having full control over all the citizens and their associations.
Question 5.
Make a distinction between State and Society.
Answer:
Following are the differences between state and society:
- Society is prior to the state. With the advent of man on earth, society began. But state was established at that time when organisation within the society was established.
- Aims of the society is development of all aspects of individual life whereas the state is mainly concerned with the political aspects of individual life.
- Size of the state is small in comparison to the size of society.
- Definite territory is essesntial for the state but not for society.
Question 6.
Is Punjab a State?
Answer:
Punjab is not a State. It is one of the provinces of Indian State. The population of Punjab is infact not the population of Punjab because people residing in Punjab are the citizens of India. Centre has a right to change the boundary of Punjab. Punjab government is not sovereign neither in internal matters nor in external matters. Hence, Punjab is not a State.
Question 7.
Define Nation.
Answer:
The Word ‘Nation’ comes from the Latin word ‘Natus’ Which means ‘bom’. A nation, therefore, means a people having common origin of coming from a common stock. Many writers defined Nation according to their view point. Following are the definitions of the Nation.
- According to Burgess, “A nation is a population of an ethnic unity, inhabiting a territory of a geographic unity.”
- According to Leacock, “Nation is a union of men having racial or ethnographic significance.”
- According to Barker, “A nation is a community of perons living in a definite territory and thereby bound together the bonds of mutual love.”
- According to Gilchrist, “Nation is the state plus something else the unit of the people organised in one state.”
Question 8.
Distinguish between State and Nation.
Answer:
- State has four essential elements, but elements of nation are not fixed.
- The element of a nation may change and they go on changing, but the elements of state are permanent and they are always the same.
- Idea of oneness is essential for the nation but not for the state.
- Definite territory is essential for the state but not for the nation.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What do you understand by Society?
Answer:
Society is a group of persons living and working together in a spirit of peace and harmony for the satisfaction of their common wants and the promotion of their common good. It is a group of human beings living together and working together to achieve a common purpose for a common good, through their joint efforts.
Question 2.
Discuss any two characteristics of society.
Answer:
1. Group of Persons. Society is a group of persons living and working together in a spirit of peace and harmony for the satisfaction of their common wants and the promotion of their common good.
2. Voluntary Membership. The membership of a state is compulsory while that of a society is voluntary.
Question 3.
What do you understand by state?
Answer:
The word “State’ is derived from the Latin word “Status’. The term ‘Status’ means social status of a man. In ancient times, no distinction was made between state and society. In modern times this term was used for first of all by Machiavelli. State is a superior organisation to all other associations.
Question 4.
Define State.
Answer:
According to Garner, “ The State, as a concept of political science and public law, is a community of persons, more or less numerous. Permanently occupying a defined portion of territory, independent or nearly so of external control, and possessing an organised government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience.”
Question 5.
What are the essential elements of a State?
Answer:
There are four essential elements of a state. These elements are:-
1. Population,
2. Fixed territory,
3. Government, and
4. Sovereignty.
Question 6.
Make a distinction between State and Society.
Answer:
Following are the differences between state and society:
1. Society is prior to the state: With the advent of man on earth, society began. But state was established at that time when organisation within the society was established.
2. Aims of the society is development of all aspects of individual life whereas the state is mainly concerned with the political aspects of individual life.
Question 7.
Is Punjab a State?
Answer:
Punjab is not a State. It is one of the provinces of Indian State. Punjab government is not sovereign neither in internal matters nor in external matters. Hence, Punjab is not a State.
Question 8.
Discuss the meaning of Nation.
Answer:
The Word ‘Nation’ comes from the Latin word ‘Natus’ Which means “bom’. A nation, therefore, means a people having common origin of coming from a common stock. Many writers defined Nation according to their view point. Following are the definitions of the Nation.
Question 9.
Distinguish between State and Nation.
Answer:
- State has four essential elements, but elements of nation are not fixed.
- The element of a nation may change and they go on changing, but the elements of state are permanent and they are always the same.
One Word to One Sentence Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
From which word the word state is derived?
Answer:
The word state is derived from the Latin word status.
Question 2.
Define state.
Answer:
According to Blunstachli, “State is politically organised people of a definite territorý.”
Question 3.
Write down any two elements of state.
Answer:
- Population
- Government.
Question 4.
Define society.
Answer:
According to G.D.H. Cole, “Society is the complex of association and institutions with in the communit.”
Question 5.
Write down any one feature of society.
Answer:
Society is a group of persor.
Question 6.
Distinguish lietween state and socIety.
Answer:
Aim of society is wider than that of state.
Question 7.
Define Nation.
Answer:
According to Barker, “A nation is a community of persons living in a definite territory and there by bound together by the bonds of mutual love.”
Question 8.
Write down any two factors which promote feelings of Nationalism.
Answer:
- Common motherland
- Common Language
Question 9.
Write down any one difference between nation and state.
Answer:
State had four essential elements but elements of nation are not fix.
Fill in the blanks
1. The term …………………….. means social status of man.
Answer:
Status
2. …………………….. and Gilchrist definition of state are considered the best.
Answer:
Gamer
3. In China there is a …………………….. of the Communist Party.
Answer:
Dictatorship
4. Sovereignty means the …………………….. power of the state.
Answer:
Supreme
5. U.N.O. is not considered a …………………….. .
Answer:
State.
True or False statement
1. Jammu and Kashmir is not a state in the strict scientific sense.
Answer:
True.
2. State is prior to society.
Answer:
False
3. State possess sovereignty, society does not.
Answer:
True.
4. State has four essential elements, but nation has five essential elements.
Answer:
False
5. Ideas of oneness is essential for the Nation but not for the state.
Answer:
True.
Choose The Correct Answer
Question 1.
Who said “Society is the web of social relationships and it is always changing.”
(A) Ogg and Zink
(B) Garner
(C) Maciver and Page
(D) Karl Marx.
Answer:
(C) Maciver and Page
Question 2.
The main difference between ‘State’ and ‘Society is:
(A) State is an association within society.
(B) Society is territorial, while the state may or may not be.
(C) Society is prior to state.
(D) State commands force, while ‘Society’ rnly uas’io.
Answer:
(D) State commands force, while ‘Society’ rnly uas’io.
Question 3.
The principle “that the population of a state should be large enough to make it self-sufficient and small enough to make good government
possible” was advanced by:
(A) Rousseau
(B) Plato
(C) Aristotle
(D) Laski.
Answer:
(C) Aristotle
Question 4.
Who said, “A nationality by acquiring unity and sovereign independence becomes a nation.”?
(A) Gilchrist
(B) Hayes
(C) Burgess
(D) Barber.
Answer:
(B) Hayes
Question 5.
Which of the following is not a difference between State and Nation?
(A) State has four essential elements but no essential elements of Nation.
(B) Idea of oneness is essential for the Nation but not for the State.
(C) Sovereignty is essential for the State and not for the Nation.
(D) Sovereignty is essential for the Nation and not for the State.
Answer:
(D) Sovereignty is essential for the Nation and not for the State.
