UPSC Prelims 2021 Q87: Indian Polity – Political Theory & Concepts
- (a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government
- (b) A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
- (c) A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government
- (d) A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary
Answer: (a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government
Explanation
Definition of 'State' in Political Science
| Element | Included in Classical Definition |
|---|---|
| Population | Yes - a community of persons |
| Territory | Yes - definite territory |
| Government | Yes - organised authority |
| Sovereignty | Yes - independent of external control |
The classical definition of the State (Aristotle, Bodin, Garner) has FOUR essential elements: (1) Population, (2) Territory, (3) Government, and (4) Sovereignty (independence).
Option (a) captures all four: 'A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organised government.'
Answer: (a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.
Other options include useful characteristics but miss elements. Option (b) mentions authority but frames it in liberal terms. Option (c) misses sovereignty. Option (d) misses independence/sovereignty.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The classic definition of State has four elements: population (community of persons), territory (definite), government (organised), and sovereignty (independent of external control). Option (a) captures all four - matching Garner's, Laski's and Bodin's formulations.
- (b) Incorrect. This is more a liberal/functionalist description; misses explicit sovereignty and includes normative elements (rights protection) not essential to the definition.
- (c) Incorrect. Missing SOVEREIGNTY (independence of external control) - a critical element.
- (d) Incorrect. Emphasises internal separation of powers but misses external sovereignty.
Key point
State (classical definition) = four elements: (i) Population, (ii) Territory, (iii) Government, (iv) Sovereignty (independence from external control). Option (a) captures all four accurately. Foundational to political science - Garner, Bodin, Laski.
Remember
The best definition of the term 'State' includes all four essential elements: (1) a community of persons (population), (2) permanently occupying a definite territory, (3) independent of external control (sovereignty), and (4) possessing an organised government. Correct answer: (a).
Common mistakes
- Confusing State (political entity) with nation (cultural community) or government (executive machinery).
- Missing sovereignty as an essential element. A political community lacking external independence (e.g. colony) is NOT a state.
- Assuming rights/laws must be included in definition. They are FUNCTIONS of the state, not defining elements.
Exam tip
State = 4 essential elements (Garner): (i) Population, (ii) Territory, (iii) Government, (iv) Sovereignty. Nation = cultural community with shared identity (may or may not have state). Nation-state = when nation and state coincide. India = nation-state.
Sources
- J.W. Garner - Political Science and Government (Classical definition of State)
- NCERT Class XI Political Theory - Chapter on State