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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]] | 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 was seen 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> . But, according to the Israeli historian, Martin Van Creveld; after the [[French revolution]] it became a prized possession "for which they were often prepared to make every sacrifice including, where necessary, rivers of blood". | ||
<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> | ||
Revision as of 05:07, 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 was seen as a means to an end - as the means of avoiding the chaos of a "war of all against all"[1] . But, according to the Israeli historian, Martin Van Creveld; after the French revolution it became a prized possession "for which they were often prepared to make every sacrifice including, where necessary, rivers of blood".
- ↑ 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)