Given below are two statements:

Statement I: State may be defined as geographically organised area by the population and having a government in partial control of its entire area.

Statement II: A state is a human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force with a given territory.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is Statement I is false but Statement II is true

The concept of the state is central to political science and sociology. It refers to an organized political entity that exercises sovereign authority over a defined territory and population.

Key Points

Statement I: State may be defined as geographically organised area by the population and having a government in partial control of its entire area.

• This statement is false.
• A state is not merely a geographical area inhabited by a population and a government with partial control.
• The essential feature of a state is the sovereign and complete control over its territory and population, not partial authority.
• Partial control implies a lack of sovereignty, which contradicts the fundamental nature of the state as a supreme authority.
• A true state possesses complete territorial integrity, recognized borders, and full internal and external sovereignty.

Statement II: A state is a human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.

• This statement is true.
• It is derived from Max Weber’s famous definition of the modern state.
• The state holds the exclusive right to use, authorize, and regulate physical force within its territory, such as through police, military, and legal enforcement.
• This legitimate monopoly of force distinguishes the state from other social institutions and is essential for maintaining law and order.
• The state’s authority is recognized as lawful by its citizens and other states in the international system.

Additional Information

• Key Elements of a State:
  • Territory: A clearly defined geographical area.
  • Population: People residing permanently within the territory.
  • Government: An organization exercising control and authority over the population and territory.
  • Sovereignty: The supreme and independent authority within the territory, both internally and externally.
• Difference from Government:
  • The state is a permanent political entity, whereas the government is temporary and can change through elections or other means.
• Modern Context:
  • The state’s monopoly of legitimate force is exercised through institutions like the judiciary, police, and armed forces to enforce law and protect sovereignty.