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The concept of the [[state]] as a country's supreme legal entity has become an indispensible component of political analysis. Although originally created by governments, the state has acquired a notional existence that is independent of the [[government]], [[country]] and [[nation]] with which it is associated. It has the characteristics of a [[corporation]] in its ability to enter into every form of legal and commercial transaction in the same way as an individual. There have been a number of different interpretations of the term and attitudes to the concept. For [[Thomas Hobbes]] in the 17th century, and for many since then, it | The concept of the [[state]] as a country's supreme legal entity has become an indispensible component of political analysis. Although originally created by governments, the state has acquired a notional existence that is independent of the [[government]], [[country]] and [[nation]] with which it is associated. It has the characteristics of a [[corporation]] in its ability to enter into every form of legal and commercial transaction in the same way as an individual. There have been a number of different interpretations of the term and attitudes to the concept. For [[Thomas Hobbes]] in the 17th century, and for many since then, it has been seen solely as a means to an end - as the means of avoiding the chaos of a "war of all against all"<ref>[http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/hobbes/leviathan-contents.html Thomas Hobbes: ''The Leviathan'', (first published 1660), Oregon State University Library, 2009]</ref> In France after the [[French revolution]] and some other European countries' the means which it served came to include the protection of citizens against oppression, and, according to the Israeli historian, Martin Van Creveld; after the it became a prized possession "for which they were often prepared to make every sacrifice" including the "rivers of blood" of two world wars<ref> Martin Van Creveld: ''The Rise and Decline of the State'', page 334, Cambridge University Press, 2004[http://www.questia.com/read/105717112?title=The%20Rise%20and%20Decline%20of%20the%20State#](Questia subscribers)</ref>. | ||
<ref> Martin Van Creveld: ''The Rise and Decline of the State'', page 334, Cambridge University Press, 2004[http://www.questia.com/read/105717112?title=The%20Rise%20and%20Decline%20of%20the%20State#](Questia subscribers)</ref> | |||
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Revision as of 05:23, 24 December 2009
The concept of the state as a country's supreme legal entity has become an indispensible component of political analysis. Although originally created by governments, the state has acquired a notional existence that is independent of the government, country and nation with which it is associated. It has the characteristics of a corporation in its ability to enter into every form of legal and commercial transaction in the same way as an individual. There have been a number of different interpretations of the term and attitudes to the concept. For Thomas Hobbes in the 17th century, and for many since then, it has been seen solely as a means to an end - as the means of avoiding the chaos of a "war of all against all"[1] In France after the French revolution and some other European countries' the means which it served came to include the protection of citizens against oppression, and, according to the Israeli historian, Martin Van Creveld; after the it became a prized possession "for which they were often prepared to make every sacrifice" including the "rivers of blood" of two world wars[2].
- ↑ Thomas Hobbes: The Leviathan, (first published 1660), Oregon State University Library, 2009
- ↑ Martin Van Creveld: The Rise and Decline of the State, page 334, Cambridge University Press, 2004[1](Questia subscribers)