phenomenon of state holds a special place in the political system.It gives the latest stability, integrity and focuses on social activities.The main features of the state lies in the fact that it fulfills a crucial role in this system performs the necessary volume of activity and management, manages the resources of society, and is the main regulator of his life.This is a fundamental tool that encompasses the functions of power and helps to carry this power.It embodies the sovereignty, as its carrier.
This concept took shape around three or even five thousand years ago, in the days of ancient Sumer, China, Egypt and Mycenaean civilization.However, a coherent theory that such a state, its main features, created a form of government for the first time by Plato.He also created the idea of the ideal type of social control, which is described as a hierarchy of three classes - the rulers, the wise men, soldiers and officials as well as farmers and artisans.Philosopher pointed to the fact that the State is concentrated the whole complex of economic, political, social and cultural interests of various strata of society, and it should seek and practice the best way to resolve the contradictions between them and resolve conflicts.
Thus, the main features of the state, which would govern justly, formed in antiquity.First of all, is the presence in it not only the coercive force, but also the rights.Then there were the descriptions of the different types of government and typology of them as correct and incorrect.On this subject, we spoke almost all the classics of antiquity - from Aristotle to Cicero.Moreover, in this age of some of the Roman lawyers had ideas about the right that belongs to the person only on the fact of his birth, and of equality derives from the theory.Roman law theorists have developed a lot of interesting and then caught the right concepts - such as the state-country as the "people's business", to carry out law and order and the communication between the entities within certain limits.
In the Renaissance again become fashionable theory of the ideal government.So, Niccolo Machiavelli, analyzing the history of the various political formations, tried to isolate the main features of the state, which would be ideal.One of these traits he considered giving all citizens the opportunity to dispose of the property and to ensure their personal safety.However, recognizing the important and necessary functions of the state, many thinkers of that era spoke of it highly critical of how, in particular, Thomas More, who claimed that in fact it is a conspiracy of the rich against the poor.Since it has long been the king's chancellor, then obviously he knew what he was talking about.
However, only the XVII century thinkers began to close approach to the notion that a rule of law.Its main symptoms were first described as complying with the laws of reason and justice.So, Hugo Grotius believed such an inherent property of this form of government social contract at the conclusion of which the people and the rulers to impose certain duties.This would, according to the well-known lawyer and founder of international law, both individual freedom and social harmony.Diderot elaborated on the concept of such an agreement and declared it the main source of power as such.Thus it was formulated the thesis of the sovereignty of the people, which in our time is written into the constitutions of most countries.With this rule - I was confident educator - it is possible to provide not only the rights but also the happiness of most people.
Diderot described the main features of the state designed to consolidate the power of the people and the rights of the individual, supported by Spinoza and Kant.And Spinoza proposed to limit the state's ability to dispose of the life and property of citizens within the law, and Kant said that if such a form of government, not only the authorities may compel citizens to fulfill the requirements of the law, but also the people themselves should be able to force the rulers to obey the laws and to follow this process.John Locke and Thomas Hobbes added to this the principle of the rule of law (when all, including those in power, must carry equal responsibility) and the distribution of power between the different branches, which can be mutually inhibit each other and resist tyranny and despotism.
