Force
Theory of Origin of the State:
The exponents of this theory hold that wars and aggression by
some powerful tribe were the principal factors in the creation of the state.
They rely on the oft-quoted
saying “war begot the King” as the historical explanation
of the origin of the state.
The force or might prevailed over the right in the primitive
society. A man physically stronger established his authority over the less
strong persons. The strongest person in a tribe is, therefore, made the chief
or leader of that tribe. After establishing the state by subjugating the other
people in that place the chief used his authority in maintaining law and order
and defending the state from the aggression from outside. Thus, force was
responsible not only for the origin of the state but for development of the
state also.
According to Edward Jenks:
“Historically speaking, there is not the slightest difficulty in
proving that all political communities of the modern type owe their existence
to successful warfare.”
As the state increased in population and size there was a
related improvement in the art of warfare. The small states fought among
themselves and the successful ones made big states.
The same people established the
kingdom of England by defeating the local people there in the eleventh century
A.D. Stephen Butler Leachock sums up the founding of states by the use of force
in these words:
“The beginnings of the state are to be sought in the capture and
enslavement of man-by-man, in the conquest and subjugation acquired by superior
physical force. The progressive growth from tribe to kingdom and from kingdom
to empire is but a continuation from the same process.”
This theory is based on the well-accepted maxim of survival of
the fittest. There is always a natural struggle for existence by fighting all
adversaries among the animal world. This analogy may be stretched to cover the
human beings.
The theory of force is supported by the German philosophers like
Friedrich Hegel, Immanuel Kant, John Bernhardi and Triestchki. They maintain
that war and force are the deciding factors in the creation of the state. Today
in the words of Triestchki – “State is power; it is a sin for a state to be
weak. That state is the public power of offence and defence. The grandeur of history
lies in the perpetual conflict of nations and the appeal to arms will be valid
until the end of history.”
