The state is the main framework for the life of modern society. However, even now, when the entire territory of the earth is divided into countries, scientists argue about the importance of the administrative apparatus in society, develop new tax collection systems, change the boundaries of territories, and so on. But the most burning issue is the moment of the emergence of a special organization of society as a historical phenomenon. The answer to it lies in numerous theories, however, in order to understand this matter in more detail, it is first important to study the concept and signs of the state.
The state as a subject of scientific activity
When starting a conversation about the state, it is important to clarify what area of discussion. So, for example, in a philosophical sense, the concept and signs of the state are considered as a legal phenomenon of humanity and an artifact of its activity; in the historical sense, the state should be regarded as a dynamically developing system of social relations at various stages of development; in a psychological sense, public entities are presented as the dependence of society on legitimate power and a recognized management apparatus.
Despite the variety of scientific points of view, such an organization of society is most often considered in the general legal sense, combining the most important features. So, what does the concept of a designated problem sound like, what are the functions of the state and what does the essence of public education mean? About it further.
Fundamental knowledge of the public sphere
One of the most common definitions, telling about the concept, signs and essence of the state, is as follows. The state is a universal and universal political form of organization of the society living in it, which was formed in the process of historical development, the activity of which is aimed both at solving highly specialized tasks and at fulfilling affairs aimed at achieving the common good, depending on the nature of the formed society.
Briefly in this definition, the concept, features and purpose of the state are presented. It is worth clarifying that it is not intended to be remembered. It is extremely important to get the meaning of one sentence in order to fully understand what a state organization is.
The next step in the study of the issue is knowledge of the symptoms. These are distinctive features that allow identifying public education and the organization of society as a state. Moreover, the distinctive feature of the signs is that the absence of at least one of them entails the cessation of the existence of such a form of organization of society.
The most important features of the state
Each country in the world, in order to be called such, must have a number of distinctive features. In addition, each of them refers to either a primary or secondary group. The first group includes the following:
1. The concept and characteristics of the state necessarily contain administrative-territorial division. This means that each state defines its external borders, which are subsequently protected. Without proper protection of its borders, the state simply cannot exist and effectively carry out its activities. This feature also includes the device of internal borders. It is important to mention here various administrative-territorial divisions: these are unitary formations and federations.
2.The second property, however no less important is the presence of the population. A distinctive feature of this feature is that not a single person chooses his true belonging to the state. Change citizenship? Yes it is possible. However, the birth, and, accordingly, the acquisition of primary citizenship by a person in no way depends. In addition, the population provides the state as a whole organism. The administrative apparatus, working specialties, teachers - the state framework is precisely the population living in a certain territory.
3. The concept and characteristics of the state necessarily imply the existence of legitimate authority. It is important to distinguish between the concepts of “legal” from “legitimate”, as the meaning of these terms is different. Power in a state can be either legal or illegal - from this the essence of the state itself as an entity does not change. A striking example is the October Revolution in the Russian state: the country has remained - power has changed. The flip side of the issue is the legitimization of power, that is, its recognition by the people. If the population does not agree with the established state apparatus, then anarchy has come to the country (in the lane “anarchy”).
4. System of checks and balances - a hallmark of the regulation of state bodies in each state. To date, there are no developed countries that have not implemented the principle of separation of powers as fundamental. Thus, the seizure of power, the establishment of a dictatorship or the monopolization of the administrative apparatus are practically minimized.
5. Continuing the conversation about what the concept and signs of the state are, it is impossible not to mention the last of the most important signs - sovereignty. Sovereignty shows the independence of the state from other similar entities. A vivid example of sovereignty is demonstrated by the Russian Federation, which is divided into a large number of subjects. Please note that regional entities have all the attributes of a state, except sovereignty.
Minor signs of the state
Minor signs show that each country does not stand in one place, but has been developing successfully throughout history. They are called secondary, not because the state can exist without these signs, but because they are constantly in dynamic development, that is, they are changing.
- In any country there has always been an imperious administrative apparatus. If in Ancient Novgorod such a body was a popular council, then in New Time power was in the hands of the sole autocrat. The need for the state apparatus is due to the implementation of internal and external functions assigned to any state.
- Each state has its own monetary system and currency. Do not confuse this feature with the spread of foreign currency on a par with the national currency, which are the dollar and euro today. As a rule, in addition to the national currency in the state, there are bodies to maintain and protect its rate.
- Robust tax collection system. This sign of the state as a form of organization of society appeared after the most striking historical act of Princess Olga, who avenged the death of her husband and established a tax - a “lesson” - for the drevlyans. A country without taxes will not be able to exist, since in order to maintain the work of the authorities it is necessary to organize a constant supply of resources.
- In any historical period in the state there were formal distinctive features, now known as state symbols. All countries of the world have their own flag, coat of arms and anthem - this identifies each country as a subject of an independent and independent.
The concept of state functions
For a comprehensive study, it is important not only to know what the concept, signs and essence of the state are, but also to have an idea of the functions it performs. So what is it?
Functions are a way to achieve your goals through the tasks you perform. Thus, functions can be called certain areas of activity of public authorities. It is worth considering that these are only directions, and not the process of work itself. Functions are designed to indicate a specific procedure for completing the task in order to successfully achieve the goal in the future.
Signs of state functions
The concept and main features of the state and its functions must necessarily include the following components:
- Historical variability. Any country in the world is always in dynamic development. This means that they change in the process of evolution and the direction of activity of authorities. Based on this, new goals appear, and with them new tasks. That is why the concept, signs and functions of the state are in constant development.
- Functions are a well-defined object of state work. A distinctive feature of this object is stability, necessity and forced repeatability.
- The performance of functions is possible strictly subject to the work of all state bodies. That is why a systematic and coordinated work of each state structure is created - work shoulder to shoulder. The creation of the state mechanism.
Concept, signs of state and law: classification of functions in theory and in practice
The classification of the functions of the state is carried out on various grounds, among which the following are the most popular.
- In the field of public life: political, economic, cultural, spiritual, social, environmental, defense and so on.
- In the direction and fields of activity of the authorities: internal and external functions.
- By action time: temporary and permanent.
- Of necessity: primary and secondary.
The most important classification today is the division into internal and external functions. Internal functions are the main directions of activity of state authorities aimed at solving problems related to the internal life of society. For their implementation, the state faces a number of tasks:
- Establishment and constant coordination of economic relations.
- Implementation of a single economic activity and implementation of state policy.
- Providing minimum conditions for the development of personality.
- Regular coordination of social public policy.
- Establishment and collection of taxes.
- Law enforcement - protection of human and civil rights and freedoms.
- Legislative function.
- Protection and conservation of environmental facilities and so on.
The concept, signs and functions of the state in the field of international politics are manifested through tasks aimed at external interaction, which include:
- Defense function and protection of state borders from outside attacks.
- Mutually beneficial political cooperation between countries.
- Strengthening state sovereignty in the international arena.
- Participation in the fight against crime, the eradication of terrorism.
- Prevention of the onset of environmental disaster and so on.
The mechanism and system of the state: briefly on the main
The concept and signs of the state mechanism are an ordered system of official bodies connected by general principles, a regulatory framework, and also endowed with authority. The creation and development of the state mechanism is necessary for the effective management of society, as well as protecting the interests of man and citizen.
Each element of the mechanism belongs to a certain group of government bodies:
- To a group of legislative bodies.
- To a group of judicial authorities.
- To a group of executive authorities.
Article 1 of the Constitution of Russia contains the concept and main features of the state: democratic, social, with a republican form of government and so on. The following articles of the Basic Law are approved by the main coordinating authorities:
- The Federal Assembly, including the Council of Federations and the State Duma, is the main legislative body.
- The first place in the judicial system is occupied by the Constitutional and Supreme Courts of the Russian Federation.
- The main executive body is the parliament.
Here, it is worth considering in more detail the concept and signs of a state body.
State body or state body?
Today, the debate over the terms “state body” and “state body” is incredibly popular. It is important to note here that the state body is called upon to exercise authority strictly within the limits of its competence. So, the head of the subject is endowed with those powers that the head of the municipal district does not have, that is, the first acts on behalf of the state, while the bodies of the municipal formation are not obliged to perform state functions. Thus, not being state bodies, they are state bodies.
As for the "elite" and dominant elements of the state mechanism, their characteristic is as follows:
- The president.
The head of state does not belong to any branch of government, but has a number of powers in each of them. In legal science, there are many theories that claim that in the Russian state the president belongs to the executive branch of government, not being independent. But still, the traditional point of view remains that the president does not belong to any branch of government.
- Government and ministries.
The formation of the Government is influenced by the concept, features and types of the state. As for the Russian Federation, the main executive body is formed strictly under the control of the President. And the Chairman of the Government, in turn, with the consent of the head of state, appoints federal ministers.
- Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
A distinctive feature of the Federal Assembly is that it contains two subsystems: the Federation Council and the State Duma. Each of the deputies and members of the Federation Council is directly or indirectly called upon to fulfill the will of the people.
- Ship system.
The system of courts of the Russian Federation is represented by several bodies of supreme authority: the Supreme and Constitutional Courts.
Concept and signs, forms of state: monarchy and others
The form of the state is a set of characteristics that manifest themselves from outside, which determine the way and devices and organizations of society. Any legal state, the concept and signs of which speak of an established system of legislation, refers to one form or another of education, which consists of several elements:
Form of government
- Monarchy – form of government, in which power belongs to the sole monarch and, as a rule, is inherited. As history shows, the rule of law, the concept and characteristics of which characterize a strict regime, can be monarchic.
- Republic - power under this form of government belongs to the elected bodies of the state, headed by the president.
Political regime.
- Totalitarian - control of all spheres of society.
- Authoritarian - strict supervision of society with the exception of the spiritual sphere.
- Democratic - characterizes a social state.
The concept and signs of a political regime also depend on a particular historical stage.
Territorial device:
- Unitary state;
- Federation.
Now a vivid example demonstrating a social state, the concept and signs of which are enshrined in the Constitution, is the Russian Federation with a republican form of government, federated device and a democratic regime.
