The modern subject is the subject of the sciences.

The Modern State

Weber’s definition of the state was that it could not be defined in terms of its goals or function but rather in its distinctive means. Researches came to different agreements when it comes to defining a state, because one can see a state from flag, language and other symbolic factors. The state has 8 FEATURES (Characteristics of Statehood) :

• Territory ,Sovereignty  (state is the highest authority), Permanent population, Constitution, Public bureaucracy, Legitimacy, Taxation

The constitution is considered the law of the laws.

Rule of the law can be considered as a feature  of the state because under the law, politicians themselves are subject to the laws which they themselves enforced or helped to enforce.

The rule of the authority rests, in weber’s interpretation, on a belief in the legality of enacted rules and the rights of those elevated to authority under such rules to issue commands.

Citizenship is a double-sided process because it is a mixture of entitling the citizen with rights and participation and also giving obligation and duties to the citizen.

The state seeks to impose its will through the consent of the population because it is a form of legitimation to approve them as an authority and to maintain a state’s stability. Most people accept this form of government (democracy). In a democracy it is usual to find the separation of powers (legislative, judiciary and executive) and they will check each other to make sure that each is going within the law (checks & balances). Therefore, no one in the government is higher than the other.

Public bureaucracy is a feature of the state and it itself has many features within it. Firstly, any bureaucratic administration will conduct according to the set of fixed rules and procedures. To be part of a bureaucracy you need to have special examinations to test your knowledge. Any civil servant in the public bureaucracy will act as the occupier of a particular public office.