Theories of the state: Liberal

The State

A state is a planned political structure that operate under a government. States may be categorized as independent if they are not dependent on, or subject to, any other power or state. States are considered to be subject to external dominion, or hegemony, if their ultimate sovereignty lies in another state. An amalgamated state is a territorial, constitutional community that forms part of a federation. Such states differ from sovereign states, in that they have transferred a portion of their sovereign powers to a federal government.

Most political theories of the state can approximately be grouped into two categories. The first, which includes liberal or conservative theories, treats capitalism as a given, and concentrates on the function of states in a capitalist society. Theories of this variety view the state as a neutral entity distinct from both society and the economy.

Liberalism is a phrase used in several ways in political thought and social science. Liberalism is best characterized as many arguments that have been classified as liberal, and recognized as such by other self-proclaimed liberals, over time and space.

The indispensable characteristic of the liberal theory of the state is the dogma of jurisdiction. That is, the idea that there is such a thing as a limited area of power and authority for the state, a delimitation of its proper sphere, beyond which, it is inadequate for the state to trespass. This principle is essentially the sole preserve of liberals. Only liberals seriously think about it. Revolutionaries discard the state altogether. Socialists are simply not concerned about limits of state power. Modern socialist governments may introduce market based transformations. The stirring factor is that of economic efficiency and not appreciation of the importance of individual liberty and limited government.

The first principle of the liberal theory of the state is that the state is not superior to other institutions. However, the state will generally be substandard to other institutions in the respective fields of special competence of those other institutions. The state is inferior to the church for elaborating moral values or the conduct of ecclesiastical government. The state is simply one social institution amongst many. Each has its proper sphere. The state has its proper sphere. It should not appropriate the spheres of other institutions. This might be described as a rule of internal management: a presumption that each institution is the appropriate authority for the management of those matters which pertain to it.

The second principle of the liberal theory of the state is that the state ought to respect the fault principle. The state ought not to punish or impose any detriment upon any man except on the basis of his fault, strict liability being applicable in exceptional circumstances. The state ought not to recompense those who are responsible for their blameworthiness. The state ought not otherwise promote guilty conduct or attach disincentives to virtuous conduct in any way. If these principles were observed within the welfare sector, that sector would be structured very differently. Welfare would be restricted to the genuinely needy.

The third principle of the liberal theory of the state is the sovereignty of law and adherence to established, proper procedures.

The fourth principle of the liberal theory of the state represent that the power of the state ought to be split and distributed amongst many centers. This principle is founded on the observation expressed in Lord Acton's aphorism that "Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely". It is by minimizing the concentration of power in any one center and by setting up many alternative, counterbalancing centers of power, that the standard of "everything open and above board" is more nearly attained and opportunities for corruption are minimized.

The positive liberal theory of the state emerged from the problem of the protection of liberty. Liberalism avoids the absolute state, confirming the superior value of individual liberty but it also recognizes the dangers of chaos in the context of a human race which is polluted with evil. The declaration that the human race is fouled with evil, is intended to communicate the awareness that there exist standards of virtue and perfection and the human race as a whole fail on these standards. The liberal philosophy is skeptical of every claim that humanity or human nature can be made to be righteous. It is the very suspicion of evil, and the belief in the unreliability of those who claim to be both virtuous and all-knowing which directly drives liberalism to support the limitation and decentralization of power. Lord Acton's aphorism bears repetition ("Power corrupts: absolute power corrupts absolutely"). Liberalism confirms moral values and opposes relativism. It does not capitulate to the false doctrine of moral neutrality.

The modern state greatly surpasses the liberal model of limited government.

Whether the theory is liberal or conservative that is not major concern. Main concern is that if the state is liberal to what extent and in which style the state adopts liberal methods and processes for the administration and representation of laws. Liberalism means to avoid conservativeness or avoid restrictions in policy making, enactment and administration of state.

It has been presumed that the restrictions or any type of conservativeness adopted by the government will control the liberty and, simultaneously, the spontaneity of the individuals leading to the slow-down of development of man's personality individuality and intrinsic qualities.

Therefore, a liberal state signifies a limited government or limited state. It can also be called a theory of limited state presented by a number of philosophers. The term limited state may be confusing. It exactly means limited functions and role of the state or non-intervention of state.

The notion of liberal state can also be elucidated from another perspective. It has been maintained by a recent opponent that all elements of liberal era converse certain rights and privileges upon persons and these must be protected at any cost. So a liberal state is one which gives importance to the cause of the individuals. In the controversy 'individual vs state' liberal state always favours the interest/cause of individuals.

The liberal state is contradictory to conservative, authoritarian and totalitarian state. The meaning of liberal is respectful and accepting of behaviour or opinions, different from others. A state is liberal when it recognises the opinions, attitudes and behaviour of individuals and does not think these as a hazard to the existence and administration of state.

There are differences among the political theorists and political scientists as to the functions of liberal state, but there is a common element among them all and it is that individuals must have maximum liberty so that their free development does not receive any hindrance due to state policy or action.