The evolutionary or historical theory views the state as developing gradually over a long period of time through various factors, rather than being created at a single point in time. It developed from simple early forms to more complex modern structures, influenced by factors like kinship, common religion, use of force, development of private property, and growing political consciousness among people. This theory was supported by 18th century historical philosophers and was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution. The state is seen as evolving continuously through history from imperfect early forms to a more perfect universal organization of mankind.
The evolutionary or historical theory views the state as developing gradually over a long period of time through various factors, rather than being created at a single point in time. It developed from simple early forms to more complex modern structures, influenced by factors like kinship, common religion, use of force, development of private property, and growing political consciousness among people. This theory was supported by 18th century historical philosophers and was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution. The state is seen as evolving continuously through history from imperfect early forms to a more perfect universal organization of mankind.
The evolutionary or historical theory views the state as developing gradually over a long period of time through various factors, rather than being created at a single point in time. It developed from simple early forms to more complex modern structures, influenced by factors like kinship, common religion, use of force, development of private property, and growing political consciousness among people. This theory was supported by 18th century historical philosophers and was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution. The state is seen as evolving continuously through history from imperfect early forms to a more perfect universal organization of mankind.
The evolutionary or historical theory views the state as developing gradually over a long period of time through various factors, rather than being created at a single point in time. It developed from simple early forms to more complex modern structures, influenced by factors like kinship, common religion, use of force, development of private property, and growing political consciousness among people. This theory was supported by 18th century historical philosophers and was influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution. The state is seen as evolving continuously through history from imperfect early forms to a more perfect universal organization of mankind.
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HISTORICAL OR EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
Garner “The state is neither a handiwork of God, nor the result of superior force,, nor the creation of resolution or convention, nor a mere expansion of the family”. Leacock “The state is a growth, an evolution, the result of a gradual process running throughout all the known history of man and receding into remote and unknown past”. J. W. Burgess “The proposition that the state is a product of history means that it is a gradual and continuous development of human society out of a grossly imperfect beginning through crude but improving forms of manifestation towards a perfect and universal organization of mankind”.
Of all the theories of the origin of the state, the historical theory is the most accepted theory. The Evolutionary Theory, otherwise known as the Historical Theory, regards the state as a product of slow historical evolution extending over a long period. Just as Rome was not built in a day, so also the state was not built in a day. The state has developed from its simple form to its complex structure. The historical School of Political Philosophy of the 18th Century supported this theory. It was further influenced by Darwin’s theory of evolution which says that every organism has birth, growth and decay. Social Scientists have tried to apply this idea in case of all social and political institutions including the state. Woodrow Wilson said, “Living political institutions must be Darwinian in structure and practice”. Factors The advocates of the Evolutionary Theory takes various factors into consideration. Like all other social institutions the State has come from the ancient past and it is the result of evolution. The following five factors are, therefore, responsible for the origin of the State. Kinship Kinship or blood relationship is a primary factor in the process of evolution of the state. In the early society people were united on the basis of blood relationship. Gradually blood relationship among the family members were beyond the boundaries of the original family. It led to the establishment of clan, tribe and finally the state. Malvern says, “Kinship create society and society at length creates the state”. Religion The blood relationship and common kinship were further strengthened by common religion or common worship. It may be noted that difference between religion and politics did not exist in early societies. Primitive religion provided the sanction of law and government and ensured the unity and obligations of the group. Common religion held men together and taught them relevance and obedience. Force In ancient times kingdoms were established and maintain education by force. One king captured the Kingdom of the other and established his supremacy over that kingdom. The strong captured the weak and exercised his authority over them. Territorial expansion was often made by military conquests. Besides, successful warfare enabled the state to have territorial domain. Even in the present State, force is found to be present. Property Private property or economic activities also contributed to the rise of the State. When agriculture developed as a means of profession, men gave up their hunting or nomadic life. They settled down in a particular place and cultivated lands. The idea of private property thus developed. For the protection of private property, laws enforced by the State were required. Moreover, surplus food enabled creation and maintenance of standing army. Political Consciousness Political consciousness means people’s awareness of common purposes and the existence of common desire for establishing a political organization for the realization of their common purposes. For the protection of lives and properties, and for mutual socio-economic development, people gradually recognized the need for cooperation among themselves under a single political unit within a particular territory. In other words over a long period of history people wanted a state and were willing to obey its orders. Thus, the State originated and developed through all these five factors. It is wrong to say that a particular factor is responsible for the origin of the State.
