POL 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Civil Society
13 Sep 2016
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Anarchy nobody is in charge, fend for yourself. Civil society people get together outside home to pursue common agenda in society (can"t be government or family run) States are territorially bounded, physical force, monopoly on legitimate force, protect people within borders from outside invaders. Characteristics of modern state: bureaucratic organization, impersonality, sovereignty. Bureaucratic organization--office holders work following establish rules in pursuit of common project. Impersonality (citizenship)--rules apply to all members as citizens not on basis of birth, divine right, or other happenstance. Sovereignty--authority is recognized as legitimate within a given, clearly specified territory. Modern states: provide defense, policing, taxing, legibility (keeping tabs on population & territory, determining who belongs), public services. State capacity & failed states vs fragile/weak states. Failed states: can"t defend borders, no effective police, can"t tax effectively, can"t keep track of citizens, can"t provide basic services.
