Chap 1
6/5/03
3:01 pm
Page 16
The state and sovereignty
1
This chapter explores the concept of the state, looking at various theories of the state and identifying its major characteristics and then how far real states measure up to these characteristics. Finally, it examines the issue of whether the state is still as fundamental a political institution as it has been over the past four centuries.
POINTS TO CONSIDER ➤ Why are there so many states today? ➤ How does the state differ from the ‘government’ and the ‘nation’? ➤ There are several different analyses of the state. What are the key points of each? ➤ What are the major characteristics of the state? Do all states have them in equal degrees? ➤ Has the state ‘had its day’?
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