Module 3: The State

state

The most important form of political organization in modern politics, which, in its ideal form, is characterized by centralized control of the use of force, bureaucratic organization, and the provision of a number of public goods.

State

Weber defines this as the human community that successfully claims a monopoly of legitimate force over a given territory.

rule of law

A system that imposes regularized rules in a polity, with key criteria including equal rights, the regular enforcement of rules, and the relative independence of the judiciary.

modern state

A concept used to distinguish states in the modern world from earlier forms of political centralization. It includes features such as extensive bureaucracy, centralization of violence, and impersonality.

state capacity

The ability of the state to achieve its objectives, especially the abilities to control violence, effectively tax the population, and maintain well-functioning institutions and the rule of law.

failed state

A state that cannot or does not perform its expected functions, especially the abilities to control violence, effectively tax the population, and maintain well-functioning institutions and the rule of law.

human capital

The education, skills, health, and other qualities individuals and groups possess that affect their economic prospects.

state building

The process through which states are constructed out of other kinds of polities, or by which state capacity is increased.

civil society

A space in society outside of the organization of the state, in which citizens, come together and organize themselves.

bureaucracy

A form of organization that, in its ideal form, has individuals, operating and working under established, specified, and complex rules.

impersonality

A quality attributed by some scholars to modern states, which are presumed to be less likely to be identified with the personalities of their leaders.

citizenship

A form of relationship between the state and individuals subject to its control, in which citizens have certain basic rights and are in some way represented in the state.

sovereignty

The key way the authority of the modern state is conceptualized: states are understood to be the ultimate authority within their specifically demarcated territories.

economic management

States' efforts to shape the economic performance of their societies especially in fiscal and monetary policy.

fiscal policy

Budget setting, which is dependent on generating revenue followed by government spending.

monetary policy

States' efforts to shape the value of a society's currency, often through the use of a central bank in the case of a modern state.

welfare state

A state that aims to provide a basic safety net for the most vulnerable elements of its population, often accomplished through social insurance, public health care plans, and poverty relief.

state system

The condition that many of the most important actors in international relations are states, which can be understood as systemically linked to one another.

bellicist theory

Theory associated with scholars such as Charles Tilly, who argue that interstate wars were decisive in the creation of the modern state.

organization

Institutionalized group such as a state, corporation, political party, social movement, or international body.

isomorphism

In institutional theory, the quality of two or more organization have by virtue of being structurally very similar.

world society theory

A theory associated with scholars such as John Meyer, who argue that basic organizational features of the state system are cultural and have diffused globally.

Regime

The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and the use of that power

Government

The leadership or elite in charge of running the state

Country

Term used to refer to state, government, regime, and the people who live within that political system

Legitimacy

A value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and proper, thus giving it authority and power

Traditional legitimacy

Legitimacy that accepts aspects of politics because they have been institutionalized over a long period of time

Charismatic legitimacy

Legitimacy built on the force of ideas embodied by an individual leader

Rational-legal legitimacy

Legitimacy based on a system of laws and procedures that are highly institutionalized