Divine theory about the origin of state

CLASS-3:                                                                               January 19, 2015.                   SR

Divine Theory about the origin of state

	Introduction        It is the oldest and first organized theory about the origin of State. During past, Politics and Religion were not separated and most of the times Head of the State was also Head of the Religion. It was believed that God created the State as he did everything else. He was to appoint certain persons as kings to rule over others. It was believed that the king was “the shadow of God on earth”. After the emergence of Social Contract theory Divine theory lost its influence and significance in politics.
	Basic principles 1.     God created the state 2.    Kings are the nominees of God. 3.       Kings are responsible & answerable to God alone and to no one else.
	Explanation These principles reveal that state and its laws are the Divine institutions and to disobey the king is not only a crime but also a sin. King is the shadow of God on earth and He is only responsible to God, NO other can ask or criticize him for his acts as he was chosen and appointed by the God, so he has superior wisdom and his acts are beyond human criticism and accountability. People should obey King in the way they obey God, as he is the nominee of God and on earth and people should worship him. DIVINE RIGHTS: During the 17th century King James-I claimed divine rights for the 1st time in England. During the struggle for power between the British King and the parliament the King refused to give powers to parliament on the ground that, “ A King can never be vicious (malicious), if he is, it means God has sent him as a punishment for peoples sins and it is unlawful to shake off the burden which God has laid upon them”. CRITICISM: 1.       State is a Human Institution. 2.       No Roots in History. 3.       Encourage Absolutism. 4.       Against the popular form of State i.e. Democracy. 5.       State and Religion are not remained mix in the modern world. 6.       No Accountability.