The concept of the state is inextricably linked with historyits origin and development. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the purposes for which it was created, and the functions it is called upon to perform. Initially, it was created to protect against external enemies, regulate economic relations between the population, meet the needs of certain social strata, and to consolidate power over the conquered peoples. In the future, his functions and the goals that have been set before him have significantly expanded. For example, social support for low-income people began to be provided, and cultural development of the population was ensured.
Concept of the state
So far, there is no single definition.Virtually all sources contain different interpretations. Common to them is that they contain the characteristics of the state: territory, people and public power. Given that the latter, as a rule, is aimed primarily at protecting the interests of certain classes, nationalities, strata and elites, one can derive the following generalized notion of the state. It is an organization of power that has arisen and is developing as a result of economic, social, cultural, spiritual, political and other transformations, promoting the implementation of national, class, religious and other interests in a certain territory. The state is the governing system of society, which has a certain structure and mechanism of interaction of its elements.
The concept of the state and its features
In order to uncover the notion of the state, it is necessary to establish the characteristics that it possesses. These include:
- availability of territory. The state extends its power and ensures the protection of all people who are its people. In this connection, the institution of citizenship, as well as citizenship, arose;
- sovereignty, that is, the independence of the state in international relations and the rule over its entire territory;
- the presence of the population, that is, the totality of people living on the territory of the country;
- presence of state symbols: flag, emblem and hymn;
- presence of public authority. To manage the country, a state apparatus is created, which includes: the police, army, courts, etc .;
- legislation that is necessary to regulate existing relationships;
- a monopoly on the legal use of physical coercion and force;
- the system of taxes that form the state budget, which is necessary for the material support of the country;
- a monopoly on the representation of the interests of the population in the international arena.
Concept of the state and its functions
There are internal and external functionsstate. The first can include educational, economic, cultural, educational, social and other. To the second - the defense of the country, the function of mutually beneficial cooperation with other states in the cultural, political, economic and other spheres.
The educational function is aimed atgranting citizens the opportunity to acquire scientific knowledge and master the professions. Economic - is expressed in regulating the existing commodity-money relations in the country, in ensuring financial stability. Cultural and educational - is to create conditions for meeting the needs of people in the sphere of spiritual development.
The social function is expressed in support ofunprotected groups of the population, provision of housing, work, provision of free education and medicine, etc. In the constitutions of many countries, the notion of a social state (including the Russian Federation) is fixed, whose policy is aimed at creating and ensuring conditions for a dignified life and free development of man.