In this article you will learn about the Difference Between State and Government in Political Science.
What is State and Government?
State and Government are the basic objects of Political Science. Political studies revolve around the State and Government. In fact, Politics or Political Theory continues to be identified as Political Science is defined as “the science of State and Government” in its traditional way.
State is the sovereign political institution of the people living in an organised society, which is occupying a definite portion of territory and is exercising sovereign power through its government over all the people and places falling in its territory.
Government is the political organisation or agency of the State which exercises its sovereign power of the state by making and implementing laws and policies of the state as well as by adjudicating disputes among all citizens of the state. It always works to secure the ends of the State; and maintains law and order and the security and integrity of the State.
Difference Between State and Government
1. Government is only an element of the State : A State has its four essential elements i.e. Population, Territory, Government and Sovereignty. Government is just a part of the State which acts or functions for the State.
2. Government is an Agency or Agent of the State : Government is an agent of the State and it acts for the State. It is the agency of the State which formulates the will of the state into laws, implements the laws of the state and realises conformity to the rules and laws of the state. It is the magistracy of the State which exercises authority and power on behalf of the State.
3. State is Abstract, Government is Concrete : State is a name, an idea, a concept used to denote a community of persons living on a definite territory and organised for the exercise of sovereignty. Government is made by the people of the State and formed by the representatives of the people or by the people. It has a defined organisation and a definite form that can be seen as a team of people exercising the power of the State.
4. Government involves only a particular part of the population of the State : The whole population is a part of the State and all the people are the citizens of the State. However, the government is made by the representatives of the people and only some people, who get elected act as representatives of the people, form the government of the State. Their number is limited.
5. Membership of a State is compulsory but not of Government : All people are the citizens of the State and together constitute the population of the State. Each one gets membership or citizenship of a state automatically right after one’s birth and continues to live life as such. But membership of the government is not automatic, no one can be forced to become its member. One can become a part of government only after seeking an election and getting elected as a representative of the people.
6. Sovereignty belongs to the State and not the Government : Sovereignty is the hallmark of the State and it belongs to the state only. Sovereignty is permanent, comprehensive, unlimited, absolute and all inclusive supreme power of the State. The government exercises only limited and definite powers as it draws its power from the Constitution of the State.
7. Territory belongs to the State : The State has sovereign jurisdiction and ownership over its territory. State is a territorial entity and territory belongs to it. The Government has the responsibility to protect, preserve and defend the territory of the State. The laws made by the government are applicable to all parts of the territory of the State but the territory belongs to the state only and not the government.
8. State and Government has different elements and forms : The State has its four essential elements i.e. Population, Territory, Government and Sovereignty and the governments can be of different forms like Parliamentary or Presidential, Unitary or Federal or a mixture of them. It can also be monarchical or aristocratic or democratic or a dictatorship. The people can change the form of their government but the State has a uniform character and exists independently.
9. State is Permanent, Government is Temporary : After every election, a new government is formed, it comes and goes regularly. At any time the government can undergo a total change through an electoral verdict or even through a revolution. State is permanent and continues to live long and enjoy sovereignty.
Thus, all these above are several well-defined, well-marked and well-recognised differences between the State and Government.
This article on Difference Between State and Government in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.