Sovereignty, Governance, and Political Systems Defined

The Fundamentals of the State

The State represents the political and administrative unity governing a specific territory, exercising supreme authority over all its inhabitants.

Essential Elements of a State

• Territory and Boundaries

  The territory is defined by boundaries that distinguish it from other states. This geographical area is where the State exercises its sovereignty.

• Population and Citizenship

  The population living within the territory consists of citizens. Citizens possess recognized rights that the State must respect, but they also have corresponding duties.

• State Power and Authority

  To regulate the territory and population, the State dictates a set of laws that must be obeyed. Furthermore, the State maintains institutions necessary for enforcement, such as the police and the army.

Global Diversity of Nations

The world is composed of approximately 200 countries, exhibiting vast differences:

• Age: Some were created recently (e.g., Montenegro, 2006), while others boast a long history (e.g., Egypt, over 5,000 years).
• Size: States range from very large (e.g., Russia) to tiny (e.g., San Marino).
• Power: Not all states are equally powerful (e.g., comparing the USA to smaller nations).

Core Functions of the State

The primary responsibilities of the State include:

• Maintaining public order and security.
• Defending its territory and sovereignty.
• Establishing international relations.
• Drawing up and approving laws (legislation).
• Providing essential public services.
• Regulating the national economy.

Models of Governance

The Welfare State (Social Status)

The Welfare State, or social status, occurs when governments actively intervene in the economy and society. The goal is to ensure that all citizens enjoy a decent standard of living and to reduce social inequalities.

Political Ideologies on State Intervention

• Liberal Ideology: Parties adhering to liberal ideology generally believe that the State should intervene minimally in the economy and society, primarily focusing only on addressing extreme cases of poverty and inequality.

• Social Ideology: Parties adhering to social ideology argue that the State must intervene actively to solve most social and economic problems, ensuring greater equality and collective well-being.

Democratic Systems

The word democracy means "people's government" (demos meaning people, kratos meaning rule). Since government decisions must be obeyed by citizens, citizens should actively participate in those decisions.

Citizen Participation in Democracy

Citizen participation is primarily achieved through the election of representatives, requiring:

• Being of legal age, regardless of sex.
• The ability for candidates to present themselves for election.
• The freedom to expose political programs openly.
• Elections held periodically.
• Transparent and verifiable results.

The Separation of Powers

To prevent the concentration of authority, democratic states divide power among three branches:

• Legislative Power (Parliament): Responsible for approving laws and controlling the actions of the government (Executive).
• Executive Power (Government): Responsible for enforcing laws and administering the country.
• Judiciary Power (Judges): Ensures compliance with the law and administers justice.

Upholding the Rule of Law

The Rule of Law mandates that laws must be respected by everyone, including those in positions of power. The highest law is the Constitution, which defines the fundamental rights and duties of citizens and structures the State.

Dictatorships and Authoritarian Regimes

In a dictatorship, a single person or a small group holds all the powers of the state. These regimes often come to power after a coup d'état or a revolution. Citizens do not participate in government, and the ruling power often does not respect the laws or the Constitution. While the world has many democracies, many countries operate as dictatorships or are considered "false democracies."