Why We Need a State? - Paper Example

Introduction

Revolution marks a new beginning. It is an indication of the tiredness with the existing state and the desire for a better way of conducting business. The state has fallen into ruins all in the hands of trusted governance that was meant to steer the country accordingly in a way that brings economic growth and benefit to its people. However, the people have lost trust with the government taking control of the situation. It is not an ideal situation as the country is in a state of statelessness and is vulnerable to attack from without and from within. It is for this reason that I have decided to use my skill and knowledge to provide necessary advice towards the importance of having structures for governance and rebuild the state to be better than it was before. This memo is aimed at providing the essential information for facing the challenges that are plaguing the nation.

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Outline

Indeed, it is quite clear that the position and the situation that we find ourselves as a nation in can be natural and are unavoidable. However, the government and the leaders failed to set up essential strategies and plans beforehand that could have been able to steer the state through the period of climate change and ensured that we do not find ourselves in the situation that we are in at the moment. It is clear that there is little trust left to structured systems of governance and leadership and it is clear why the position could have been arrived at. However, it will be unfortunate for me if I did fail to mention that it is unfair to blame the structures because they have worked since time immemorial. The blame should fall squarely on the individuals tasked to man these structures. I am simply implying that there is a need to trust the system and be careful with the individuals we task to man these systems thus forming the government.

Do we need a state? My stand is that we do need a state. I feel that it is a good moment to stand united especially in the backdrop of the challenges that we are facing. Thomas Hobbes identified that living without the protection of the state; human nature will inevitably force human beings to start and engage in severe conflict if they exist in a state of nature. He looks at people's desire and need to ever be in motion (Felicity) and equates it with Galileo's principle (Wolf, 2016). The desire for more and better will lead humans to have conflict especially in a state of statelessness.

Furthermore, it is clear that the systems that have faced numerous challenges during this period would best be run by a central entity that is not aimed at usurping the people and make a profit. The only body that can be able to facilitate these services in a way that does not manipulate or praise the people is the government. It is, therefore, prudent to have a state (Montesquieu, 1756).

How would the state justify its authority? The new state will need to justify its authority and explain why it is necessary. The inhabitants have revoked the social contract, and it is important to move diligently in justifying the need and purpose for a state. Plato offers the best way of justifying the state, and his theories will apply greatly to our state. He identifies a social contract between the state and the individuals that are implied without stating (tacit) (Greetham, 2006). Once individuals reach adulthood, they may choose whether to stay or leave the state according to what they feel suits them best. Happiness for society yielded by the state (utilitarianism) will follow the rule utilitarianism which implies that the following rules are for the benefit of the people and failure to obey the laws will be seen as rebellion and an act of destroying the state. Bentham's theories and proposal for following act utilitarianism would also be used especially for the fragile nature of the new state. It implies that people will feel more obligated to follow and obey rules if they think that they will add to the good. Plato's strong obligation in the fairness category sees the state as a parent, and every individual is recipient to the benefits conferred by the state. These can adequately justify the state's authority and its mandate for the people (Wolf, 2017).

Who should rule this state? How is power allocated? This is the most critical element for the new state. Considering that we have already established the need for having a new state, it is important that we identify the ruler and symbol of authority for the state. He who rules the state is ultimately answerable if calamity should ever befall the state. There should never be another occurrence like that faced earlier where there was a total failure in the systems and mechanisms of running the state (Chambers, 2010). The government and leaders were largely to blame for the breakdown. Power should be a check to power. No government or leader should be compelled to act in a manner that contradicts the law. Liberty should reign supreme in all government systems and power allocations. I propose that we should use a democratic system of selection where the ruler comes from the people themselves. It is in this way that the people will bear the brunt for selecting a bad leader if things go bad. The allocation of power, on the other hand, will be divided between three arms of government that will be constituted. They are the executive (government head), the legislature (lawmaking body) and the judiciary (law enforcer). The three will hold power equally because there is no liberty existent where one person runs two arms. It is important to ensure that all these do as they are required to, and any instance of misappropriation by the people tasked with authority is dealt with there and then (Wolf, 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the situation that we are facing at the moment is dire and needs immediate attention. It is important to notice that the failure of the previous government was not based on the systems of governance, but the people tasked with handling the systems as well as the way they run the affairs of the state. It is quite commendable that the people were able to take control of the state. However, the importance of having a state cannot be understated. Indeed, the state is a reflection of the people. Ensuring that the government is constituted with well able individuals who put the needs of the society first before their own is important towards ensuring the future success of the state. Furthermore, a state of statelessness will reign in anarchy which will lead to conflict and eventual war among the people. It is, therefore, best to maintain the state albeit with special attention to who is chosen to be the leader and how he/she will rule the state.

References

Chambers, S. (2010). Theories of Political Justification. Philosophy Compass, 5(11), 893-903.

Greetham, B. (2006). Politics: Political Theories. Philosophy, 384-401.

Montesquieu, C. S. (1756). The spirit of laws. Aberdeen: Printed by and for Francis Douglas and William Murray.

Wolff, J. (2016). An introduction to political philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wolff, J. (2017). 2. Justifying the State. Politics Trove.