The Concept of the State - Essay Example

The Introduction The concept of the has been analyzed, defined and argued over many years through the lens ofpolitical geography. This is largely because the State is one of the most prevailing systems of political organization across the globe. There are various contradictions with the term State in comparison to state or what is called nation. It should be clarified that a State (denoted with capital “S”) refers to an independent country like Spain or the United States while state (with a small “s”) denotes a first-order interior division like Texas, California or West Bengal. There are various characteristics of a State that distinguish it from other forms of political organizations that are discussed below (Flint and Taylor 31). The first characteristic is that a State must possess defined land territory that are known and recognized in all aspects. This means that it must inhabit a certain part of the earth’s known surface and the boarders are recognizable. The boarders or limits though recognized they can be indefinite, unclear or disputed. The State territory varies with each country as it is with the population that inhibits within these boarders (Flint and Taylor 31). A State is also recognized when there is an enduring resident population regardless of their size. A place that does not have people who reside there regardless of how large it is cannot be defined as a State. When a place is only crisscrossed by migrants or occupied occasionally by researchers or hunters cannot be quantified as a State. From this analysis, a State denotes a human establishment that is generated by people to fulfill and serve parts of their specific needs. The people who make up a State do not have to be necessarily homogenous or sharing norms, customs, same language or an ethnic experience. For instance, people living in the United States are made up of varied cultural background and customs but they form a State (Flint and Taylor 31). In addition, another characteristic of a state is the essence of a government, which is an administrative system which accomplishes the functions desired by the population and governs various institutions. A State cannot exist if there is no political organization and it is important in making and imposing public policies. A government is necessary in a State to ensure that people are safe, free from fear, violence, and dangerous encounters with other countries (Flint and Taylor 31). Organized economy is a characteristic of a State which denotes the way people are able to trade with one another. A State has the duty to perform various economic activities regardless of how small or large. This economic system ensures directive of money and supervision of foreign trade even in a situation where activities are organized badly. In addition, a State needs a circulation system which ensures that goods, people, and services are transferred from one location of the territory to the other. This circulation is inclusive of all types of transportation and communication while modern States have sophisticated equipment (Flint and Taylor 31). The other two characteristics are not geographic but within the concept of political science as well as international law and they are sovereignty and recognition. A State must be sovereign which means it holds the highest and complete power within its own boarders and therefore, can make its own foreign and local policies. In essence, it is not inferior or accountable whichever other parts of authority or power. When a State is sovereign it can decide its form of governance, structure an economic system, and direct its foreign programs. For instance, the states within the State of the United States cannot be sovereign since each one of them is accountable to the Constitution of the country (Flint and Taylor 32). Recognition is an important part of a State since it ensures that it is acknowledged as an international personality or as part of the international community. This means it is nominated into the international community by the currently existing members. The act of recognition according to political scientists makes the State come into existence for the very first time. In this regard, it is clear that the act of recognition is important for other States to realize that it has accomplished all the other five characteristics discussed (Flint and Taylor 32). The population or the people who inhibit or exist in the State are the most important in the dominion of a State. This is because a people who are normally referred to as a nation, form the most integral part of the State. It is through the population that all other characteristics are able to survive since they need to be governed, they derive the economy through trade, and they share a similar culture, and territory. It is clear that people or a nation are brought together by shared values, culture, language, religion, and historical experiences that make them united in a State. The population is often inclined to identify with each other, share closeness than with outsiders, and have the belief that they are one. It is easy to differentiate people who are from different States who do not have a shared culture or political institutions (Flint and Taylor 33). It is through the essence of people feeling that they belong together as a nation that develops the concept of nationalism. Nationalism is a word that denotes the feeling of having a common nation to differentiate a State from nation. The idea of nationalism is crucial because it encourages people to identify with others even beyond their families, friends, clans, or tribes. Population therefore, is more important because these people as a nation may be inclined to generate new ideas and foundations that enhance the society in collaboration with other parts of a State. The people are the ones that have the freedom and will to be part of the State and therefore, crucial in its making. It would be difficult for any State to survive if the inhabitants are not supportive of the others parts of the State. This would lead to chaos and confusion within the State and disintegration of major institutions and definitely a failure of the economy. Many countries like the United States are standing firm because of the idea of nationalism and closeness that people feel towards others. This has created a level of nation-state which means people have a sense of nationalism without regard for their ethnic backgrounds (Flint and Taylor 33). Conclusion A State represents an independent country that is enclosed through a territory or boundaries, recognized and a government that requires loyalty from the people. It is necessary for a State to have an organized economy where people can conduct trade freely to enhance the system of administration. In addition, a circulation system is important to ensure that people, goods, and services are transferred from one place to another effectively. Political researchers indicate that a State must be sovereign in that it has the highest and total power to make its own decisions on local and foreign policies without interference from others. The most important characteristic of a State is the population since they support all its other parts to advance. Work Cited Flint, Colin, and Taylor, Peter. Political Geography: World-economy, Nation-state, and Locality. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2007. Print. Read More