The Theories of Government Origin

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining the four major theories regarding the origins of the state and government as described in the lecture notes.

Force Theory

The explanation that the state was created by force, where one person or group claimed control over land and forced the people to submit to their rule.

Evolutionary Theory

The theory that government roots began with a primitive family where one person was the head, eventually evolving into a clan and then a tribe that settled once agriculture began.

Divine Right Theory

The belief that God created the state and gave those of royal birth the right to rule, requiring the people to obey the ruler as they would God.

Social Contract Theory

The theory that humans created government to escape an unpleasant condition where no authority existed, choosing to give up some power to the government in exchange for safety.

Political theorists

Individuals who have theorized for centuries about the origin of the state and government.

Four Theories

The most commonly accepted explanations of how government began, consisting of Force, Evolutionary, Divine Right, and Social Contract theories.