Government and State: Similarities and Differences

What is a State?

A state is a geographical entity made up of people who have or believe they have the followings in common: culture, language, history, tradition, and religion in a fixed territory (boundary). The term State is interchangeably used to mean a Country or a Nation. A State is an independent and sovereign entity with a system of law and an organized government, which has certain administrative tasks to be carried out for its proper functioning. The government carries out these administrative tasks. This entity has the right to exercise power over the territory and the people. State is the territory in which the government can practice its authority. A state is like an organization and the government is like the management team. 

A State has the following characteristics: Sovereignty; Population; Territory and Government, which distinguish it from any other union or association. Government, on the other hand, is a political or ruling administration that serves as the agent or machinery through which the purpose or goals for which the State or Country is established are achieved. However, while State exists in perpetuity except it collapses, governments the world over change by elections or by other means. Another difference is that while government functionaries are visible, State exists in a ‘spiritual realm’, you only hear references made to the State but you cannot see the entity called the State physically even though the day to day activities of the government are done in her name. Below is the summary of important distinctions between the State and government.


The State has four elements like population; territory; government and sovereignty. Government is a narrow concept and it is an element of the State. The State is regarded as an organic concept, which the government is a part thereof.

The State is more or less permanent and continues from time immemorial. But the government is temporary. It changes frequently. A government may come and go, but the State continues forever.

It is a known fact that citizens are a member of the State but not all of them are members of the government. The government consists of only a few selected citizens. The organ of the government consists of only a few selected citizens.

The State possesses sovereignty. Its authority is absolute and unlimited. Any other institution cannot take its power away. Government possesses no sovereignty, no original authority, but only derivative powers delegated by the State through its constitution. Powers of government are delegated and

limited.

The State is an abstract concept whereas government is a concrete one. Nobody sees the State and the State never acts. The government is a physical manifestation and it acts for the State.


All States are identical in character and nature. Whether big or small, the characteristics of the State do not undergo changes. But governments are of different types and they may vary from State to State. Government may be based on democracy, monarchy, theocracy, or oligarchy. Various political scientists have given different classifications of government.


Lastly, the citizens have a right to go against government and not against the State. The State only acts through the government and the government may make mistakes and may be sanctioned for it but not the State. The State can do no wrong or make mistake, therefore, the citizens only have rights to go against the government and not the State.


Self-Assessment Exercise (SAE) 3.3
Distinguish between the State and government.

SUMMARY

The State and government are like semen’s twins because without a State, there cannot be a government and a government cannot operate except on the authority of the State. The State has set objectives, which can only be accomplished through the machinery of the government that holds power in trust for the people based on the authority of the State.

CONCLUSION
The evolution theories of State make the need for a government imperative in human society for without government humanity may not live in peace and harmony, which are the important elements for development and growth. The relationship between the State and government is that of a principal and an agent.

TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENTS (TMAs)

1. Define government from different perspectives

2. Differentiate between the State and government

3. Mention important duties of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Bealey, Frank, ed (1999). "government". The Blackwell dictionary of political
science: a user's guide to its terms. Wiley-Blackwell.
http://books.google.com/books.