In this article you will learn about the several Theories of Origin of State in Political Science.
Theories of Origin of State
Initially, people began to think of a State as a divinely commanded institution. However, after some time, several thinkers tried to explain its origin by proving it on the basis of the factor of force.
They formed their views on the fact that the State used force for commanding obedience to its laws. Earlier, several thinkers prominent among them being Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau, came out with the theory that State was a machine and organisation that came into being as a result of the social contract made by the people living in the prehistoric state of nature. Later on, several sociologists and historians attempted to explain the origin of State in terms of the expansion of family and they put forward the patriarchal and matriarchal theories of the origin of state.
The Three Main Theories of Origin of State:
Divine Origin theory of the State
Divine Origin theory of State has been the oldest theory in history. It advocates that the state is a creation of God and the King rules the State by God’s will, command, order and authorisation. State is a divine institute and not a human institute. The State is ruled by the King on behalf of God. King is the representative, the vive-regent of God on this earth and is bound to rule the people. Commands of the King have to be obeyed as dictates of the Divine God. No one should or can disobey or oppose the laws and orders of the King. Disobedience to laws constitutes not only a crime but also constitutes a sin. The King rules and is accountable to God for his rule and if he commits atrocities, God punishes him.
The Social Contract theory of Origin of State
The Social Contract Theory estimates the view that originally people used to live in a state of nature and without a state. They decided to end this state or nature either because of difficulties faced by them or because of the fact that such a living had led to chaos and anarchy. Accordingly, they entered into a social contract which then led to the birth of the state. Thus, according to the supporters of this theory, the State had a contractual origin i.e. a state as a Man made Machine. It was made by the people living in the prehistoric state of nature.
The Social Contract Theory came as a reaction against the Divine Origin Theory of State. The theorists held that the State was a human institution and not a divine creation instead it was a man-made institution. It came into existence through a deliberate contact made by the people.
According to the Social Contract Theory, the state originated by a social contract made by the people, who decided to come out of the state of nature and it was considered as a creation of human will.
Evolutionary Theory of the Origin of State
Evolutionary theory or the Historical-Evolutionary theory happens to be a universally accepted and valid theory of the origin of the State. This theory advocates the view that the State has been a growth and not a make. And it has originated through a natural process of historical evolution.
State has been the product of a natural, slow, gradual and imperceptible process of social evolution. It has its birth in such a gradual way that the people came to realise its presence only after they had started living as its members. In fact, the State came into existence out of the process of the continuous development of human society. The State is a growth, an evolution and the result of a gradual process running throughout all the known history of man preceding into the remote and unknown past.
This article on Theories of Origin of State in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.