Corridors of Power Novel (1964) C. P. Snow's novel Corridors of Power takes place in the UK in 1955-1958. The protagonist of the novel is a young conservative politician representing the left wing of his party, Roger Quaif. The story is told from his perspective.

Stone of power This stone weighs 136.75 carats - there are diamonds and more. Its shape is a square, turned at the corners. There are stones and more refined. But the fact is that this stone is one of the most famous historical diamonds in the world. He changed countries

Informing power Power is the desire to lead someone, an exciting occupation and sometimes reaches its climax for many - that is, you want to rule more and more people. But in fact, what is power or the desire for power, is an attempt to impose one's own

We will reveal the concept of power, its role in society, the structure, types of power.

Power- this is the ability and ability to have a decisive influence on the behavior and activities of people through various means: authority, law, coercion (including direct violence), and others.

Term power also used to designate its subjects, holders of power, elected persons or bodies, for example: a general meeting of all members of a primitive family, an elder, leader, priest, parliament, government, etc.

Without power, society will be in chaos, so it is permeated with power relations.

Power in society is generated by the need for management, the need to agree on common goals in the presence of diverse interests, values, and needs. It is also due to social asymmetry, i.e. natural and social inequality of people.

In dynamics in love is always attitude between people - power relation. The structure of power relations: subject, object, power influence itself.

Subject of power- this is the carrier of power, from which the imperious impulse comes, this is the active principle of power. The subject of power is endowed with consciousness and will subjugates the object to his will. For example, the subject of power can be a person, a group of people, the people as a whole, a public or state authority, the state as a whole, international organizations, the world community.

Object of power- these are those on whom the authoritative subordinating influence is directed. The peculiarity of the object of power lies in the fact that it is also endowed with consciousness and will and can act as the subject of power in other power relations. The objects of power can be those who are its subjects, i.e. a person, a group of persons, the people as a whole, a public or state authority, the state as a whole, international organizations, the world community. It is important that the object of power in one power relationship can become a subject in another power relationship.

Imperious influence- this is the connection and interaction between the subject and the object of power, which occurs in the process of exercising power. It lies in the fact that on the part of the subject, the manifestation of the will is carried out, up to its imposition, and on the part of the object of power, submission to the subject is carried out. Submission can be voluntary, when the will of the subject of power coincides with the will of the object, or forced. There are power relations in which the object and subject of power coincide, for example, in a tribal community, when decisions are made by a general meeting.

In static in the structure of power distinguish between will and force. Will is a basic component of power, because in power, the will of the ruling subject is always manifested: an individual, a group of people, a social class, a people, society as a whole. The will of the majority of society, or the will of a class, or some group of people - aristocracy, oligarchy, technocracy, etc. can manifest itself in state power. Force power confirms its will, puts the will into action, embodies it. The strength of power is manifested in authority, in ideological influence, in law, in coercion, in direct violence. The power of state power is embodied in state bodies - government bodies, and especially enforcement bodies - the army, police, prisons, etc.

Types of power. Since society is permeated with power relations, there are many types of power.

informal power. In small social groups (family, association of interests, school class, student group), where everyone knows each other and has personal contact, power is held on authority leader. Authority depends on personal qualities, merit, talent.

formal power. In political parties, the state, large corporations, and other organizations, power is based on position and external influence official governing bodies and officials. At the same time, it is not the personal qualities of the holders of power that matter, but their official status. The object of power is forced to obey impersonal rules and commands.

According to the spheres of society distinguish between spiritual, social, economic, political power, informational, shadow, military, family, religious and others. One of the main types is political power. It is subdivided into international, state, party, municipal, regional. The purpose of political power is the regulation and management of the process of public and state life. The highest and most developed form of political power is state power.

State power is a relationship of domination and subordination, associated with management, coordination of volitional actions of people, based on organizing influence and the possibility of coercion by the state. It relies on a special apparatus of control and coercion. It has the monopoly right to issue laws and other normative acts binding on all. It has a monopoly on the use of legitimate (supported, approved by the population) violence. State power exercises control over society within a certain territory.

Methods, ways to ensure the dominance of the will of the ruling subject depend on the social interests and volitional attitude of the parties. If the interests and will of the subjects coincide, informational influence is sufficient for exercising power. With a divergence of interests and wills, the following ways are possible: a) coordination, stimulation, clarification, persuasion; b) coercion (including direct violence).

Findings. Power in society is manifested through social management and social regulation. Social norms determine the subjects of power, the scope of power, the measure of responsibility, the possibility and the measure of coercion. Management structures exercise the powers defined in social norms, while using management tools - authority, customs, law, coercion, information, wealth and others.

Together with human society, social power arises as its integral and necessary element. It gives the society integrity, manageability, serves as the most important factor of organization and order. In other words, it is a systematizing element that ensures the viability of society. Under the influence of power, social relations become purposeful, acquire the character of managed and controlled relations, and the joint life of people becomes organized. Thus, social power is an organized force that ensures the ability of a particular social community - clan, group, class, people (ruling subject) - to subordinate people (subjects) to their will, using various methods, including the method of coercion. It is of two types - non-political and political (state).

Power is a superstructural phenomenon, its nature, properties, functions are determined by economic relations, the basis of society. However, it cannot function apart from the will and consciousness of people. Will is the most important element of any social power, without which it is impossible to understand its nature and the essence of power relations. The foregoing is due to the fact that power means, on the one hand, the transfer (imposition) of one's will on those who are in power, and on the other hand, the subordination of those who are subject to this will. Will firmly connects power with its subject: power belongs to the social community whose will is embodied in it. Subjectless, that is, belonging to no one, there is no power and cannot be. That is why in the doctrine of power an important place is occupied by the concept of "ruling subject" - the primary source, the primary bearer of power.

Power is also impossible without the objects of its influence - individuals, their associations, classes, society as a whole. Sometimes the subject and object of power coincide, but more often than not, the ruling and the ruled are distinctly different and occupy different positions in society.

Emphasizing the importance of the will as one of the defining elements of power, one should not belittle its other structural elements, in particular, such as force. Power may be weak, but devoid of strength, it ceases to be real power, since it is not capable of putting the imperious will into practice. Power can be strong with the support and trust of the masses of the people, that is, it is based on the power of authority. The ruling subject often uses the power of ideological influence, including deceit and populist promises, to impose his will on those subject to him. But power, especially state power, has subject-material sources of power - organs of violence, coercion, armed organizations of people.

Power continuously affects social processes and is itself expressed, manifested in a special kind of relations - power relations, the essence of which lies, as already noted, in the unity of two manifestations: the transfer (imposition) of the will of the ruling subject to the subject and the subordination of the latter to this will. Power relations are distinguished by a pronounced purposefulness. The defining feature of power is the ability of those in power to impose their will on others, to dominate those who are subject. Hence the negative side of power, expressed in the possibility of its abuse and its arbitrary use. It often becomes the subject of sharp struggle and clashes between people, political parties, strata and classes.

We often encounter the concepts of political power, political parties. We hear about them on television, radio, read in the newspapers. Let's try to figure out what politics is, why it exists, how it is implemented, why society cannot exist without power.

Politics

Politics is understood as an activity that is connected with relations between large groups of people, social strata and even entire nations. It involves participation in public affairs and includes those goals and methods that are used to achieve the realization of the interests of large social groups.

Since there are many different groups in society, the interests that are inherent in them can also differ greatly. Some may support the current government, others are critical of it. There is a struggle for power.

Political power

By power, we mean a situation where someone has the authority to lead, manage other people. It shows up in different situations.
The following have power:

• the president in relation to citizens;
• officer in relation to soldiers;
• teacher in relation to students.

Power features:

• powers of authority make it possible to give orders and demand their execution;
• political power extends to large groups of people;
• power relies on institutions such as the police, the army, and the courts to enforce orders and impose sanctions on those who ignore them or carry them out in bad faith.

The role of politics and power

Politics and power play an important role in modern society. They affect various areas of society. Power daily manages the processes that occur in society.

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The importance of politics and power is determined by the importance of government, since without it it is impossible to establish order, maintain stable development and ensure the normal life of citizens.

Mass media

In modern society, the role of the Internet, television, radio, newspapers is great. With the help of the media, people learn the news, express their opinion about a particular event.

The media also play an important role in politics, as they directly reflect the actions of the authorities, highlight the statements of politicians, and discuss them by specialists and ordinary citizens.

The Importance of the Media is that they:

• give an idea about the work of government bodies, about the activities of parties and other organizations, about urgent problems;
• involve people in the political sphere, form an opinion about the events in the country;
• quickly respond to all significant events and broadcast them, causing feedback from people;
• raise topical issues, forcing the authorities to pay attention to them.

We must not forget that objective and reliable information is not always transmitted in the mass media. It happens that the material is chosen that is interesting to its publisher, meets his views. Some events may be given personal assessments that do not always correspond to reality.

What have we learned?

Having studied the topic of social science (grade 9), we found out that politics and power play an important role in the life of society, since the development of the state, its relationship with citizens and other countries, the position of social groups, their ability or impossibility to express your opinion and meet your needs. An important role in the modern political system is also played by the mass media, which instantly react to ongoing events and express people's opinions on various issues.

Strength and power

Presentation on the topic: "Power" Social science grades 6-9. Social science. Once Confucius was driving near the mountain. A woman sobbed loudly over the grave. Once, my father-in-law died from the claws of a tiger. There are no cruel authorities here,” the woman replied. (“Kung Tzu” (about 551 - 479) - an ancient Chinese thinker). What will be discussed in the lesson today? Power. What is power? Lesson plan. Components of power. Political power. Government. The theory of separation of powers. Power is born simultaneously with human society. The basis of authority is respect: for knowledge, experience, achievements, personal qualities, etc. - Strength and power.ppt

Politics and power

Topic: Politics and power (§1). Political power. The role of politics in the life of society. Political life and mass media. 1.What is POLICY? Aristotle. Machiavelli. He singled out politics as an independent science. 2. Political power. Task: Write down the words - associations to the word "power". Power. Economic. Political. State. Military. Spiritual. parent. State power is power exercised by professionals and based on armed force. Political > state power power. 3. The role of politics in the life of society. 4. Political life and mass media (media). - Politics and power.ppt

Politics and political power

Politics and power. Society. Concepts and terms. Problem. Political activity and society. professional politicians. social groups. Political activity. Participation in power. The main problem. Political sphere. political institutions. Movement. The consignment. Party's focus on conquest. Political Party. political movements. Typology and functions of political parties. Party functions. Party system in Russia. Trends in the development of political parties. The role of political mobilization. political relations. Political power. A number of signs. Means of influence of political subjects. - Politics and political power.pptx

Power in the State

Political sphere. Politics - from the Greek "polis" (city-state). Politics is the art of government. What is power? Interpretations of power. As an influence: the ability to influence people's behavior. As authority: an attitude expressing voluntary consent to obey the orders of the ruler. As coercion: influence characterized by a high level of pressure. Power activity. Elements of power activity. Powerful will. Power decisions. Power actions. Types of power. Principles of stability of political power. Political activity. Types of power. - Power in the state.ppt

social science power

Workshop on social studies.9 cells. Presentation on social studies. Grade 9 Smirnov Evgeny Borisovich.. Consider the terms and concepts in relation to political events and phenomena. Terms and concepts. Participation in the affairs of the state .... Politics. Power extending to the whole society. Political power. The fourth kind of power. What is political power based on? The power of the state. The totality of state authorities and administration. State. Theories of the origin of the state. State from God. Result of the contract. The theory of conquest... State signs. 1. The unity of the territory. 2.Public power. 3. Sovereignty. 4. Laws. 5. Taxes. - Social Science Power.pptx

Legitimacy of power

Power. The main problem. Politics. The desire to participate in power. Dominant power. Power and its bearers. Basic interpretations of power. Behavioral approach. Definition of Max Weber. Vocabulary. Asymmetric distribution of resources. Methods of political domination. Forms (grounds) of power. rational arguments. legitimacy of power. legality of power. Vladimir Lenin and Adolf Hitler. Barricades at the White House. The White House after the suppression of the coup. Legality. legitimacy criteria. Levels of legitimation of power. Legitimization. The fact of issuing an order. types of domination. Rational (legal) domination. - Legitimacy of power.ppt

Separation of powers

Constitution. Separation of powers. Plan: State sovereignty. The principle of separation of powers. 1. State sovereignty. Sovereignty is independence in internal and external affairs. What is needed for sovereignty? Questions for consolidation: What is the difference between the “donated” by the monarch of the Constitution from the Constitution, adopted in a democratic way? What are the objectives of a democratic constitution? What is state sovereignty? What ensures the sovereign statehood of the country? What is the principle of separation of powers? What gives a person, a citizen, knowledge of the Constitution of our country? - Separation of powers.ppt

The principle of separation of powers

Separation of powers. Typology of government systems. presidential systems. Measures to counter the usurpation of power. parliamentary systems. dominance of the executive branch. Assembly government. Rationalized parliamentarism. Election of the chief executive. control over the branches of government. Government term. semi-presidential systems. Election functions. Information disclosure. random factor. Picture. Counterweights. Having checks and balances. Society. Society can make a rule. Comparison of systems of government. Smaller government. Government costs. - The principle of separation of powers.PPT

Appeal to power

Forms of work with authorities. Preparatory stage. Appeals to the authorities, preparation of documentation. Documentation. Letters of appeal. Contracts. Invitations. Reports. Thanksgiving letters. Intangible resources of power. What does it bring to the organization? Why trustees come to the organization. Findings. Business game. - Appeal to power.ppt

Parliamentary lessons at school

"Where laws are born." The history of the parliamentary lesson. Republican forum of teachers of history and social studies. Parliamentary Lessons. Cognitive conversation of legislators, teachers and students. Goals. Russian Federation - Russia. Parliament. State power in the Russian Federation is exercised by the President. The system of public authorities in the Russian Federation. Content analysis of textbooks. The results of the sociological survey. Who is a deputy. Composition of the State Council. Portrait of an ideal deputy. Valeev Razil Ismagilovich. D. A. Medvedev. Parliament of the Republic of Tatarstan. -

State- a special organization of political power, which has its own distinctive features and characteristics. Chief among them is the presence sovereignty, that is, the supremacy and independence of state power both within the country and outside it - in relations with neighboring and other states. The essential qualities of sovereignty are:

1. sovereignty in determining the directions of domestic and foreign policy, in making political decisions;
2. independence of state power in the implementation of the functions of the state, in the fulfillment of its mission to society;
3. equality in relation to other participants in international relations.

Economic sovereignty means that each state has its own customs service, its own national currency, a system of taxes and fees, laws, rules and regulations of economic activity, its own credit and financial system, and principles of state management of the economy.

Political sovereignty assumes that the state has its own state border, and it runs not only on land, but also on water and in the air; It has its own bodies of state power and administration, punitive bodies, justice bodies, and an army. Each state has its own laws on citizenship or nationality, its own system of legal norms.

It is possible to present the signs of the state on another basis:

• Territory. The territory of the state is made up of land, water, and airspace.
• Special groups of people united in authorities, administration, security and law enforcement, namely: parliaments, governments, ministries, the judiciary, local authorities. All of them make up the apparatus of public power, which is designed to ensure that the state fulfills its tasks.
• taxes and loans. The money collected as taxes and loans goes to the state treasury so that the authorities take care of the needs of society, protect the overall public interests, and ensure the order and conditions of work and life of citizens.
• One of the hallmarks of the state is that it can legislate, create right, that is, such rules, norms of people's behavior, which become mandatory for everyone and the implementation of which is ensured by the entire power of the state.

Any state performs certain tasks and functions in relation to society, unites it on the basis of common interests.

The first group consists internal functions which are carried out by the state to regulate the internal life of society, the second group - external performed in the sphere of relations with other countries. We list the main functions of the state:

1. regulation of the economic activity of the company: to ensure the general conditions for the development of the economy, to establish the procedure for taxation, to organize the collection of taxes;
2. protection of life, honor, dignity, rights and freedoms of citizens - residents of their country from arbitrariness and violence;
3. education of a generation of law-abiding, worthy citizens of their country;
4. the use of violence against people who violate the laws of the state;
5. protecting your country from enemies, establishing foreign policy and foreign economic relations, strengthening the prestige and influence of the country.

State Formation Factors

With all the abundance of theories and approaches to the problem of the origin of the state and state power, it is impossible to single out a single universal model that is equally suitable for all countries and regions of the world without exception. Some factors were important in the East, in the valleys of the great rivers; others in mountainous, sea-bound Greece; the third - in Russia. If we try to systematize all the factors of state formation, we get the following picture.

The first group - economic forces, namely: the complication of economic life, the social division of labor, the increase in its productivity and the possibility in connection with this for an individual, a family, not only to provide himself with everything necessary, but also to produce surpluses for exchange, for sale to others; change in forms of ownership - from primitive public to private, state, temple. This complication of economic life, of course, requires organization, regulation of social life as a whole and leads to the creation of a state.

The second group - social factors. Society in its development is approaching a stage when tribal communities are replaced by neighboring ones, and not only tribal, family ties connect people - they are connected by a common territory of residence, the solution of common tasks. In society, the priesthood, tribal leaders, and elders begin to stand out. Their power gradually acquires a hereditary character. People are also divided according to property - into rich and poor. Contacts of some peoples with others become more active - campaigns, military expeditions turn into an important factor in state formation.

Ethnic factors can be singled out as a special group of factors: a particular people realizes itself as a single whole, understands the need to protect itself from enemies, gives rise to “its own” idea, culture, religion, and traditions. He gives birth to his own state.

Let's summarize. Nevertheless, the area of ​​morality and religion is hardly the main one in the formation of statehood. Its roots are in the socio-economic sphere. A complexly organized society requires regulation. Its contradictions cannot be resolved in the old way, as in the era of the primitive community - at the council of the family or the council of elders. Customs alone are not enough; special norms are now required—laws backed by the power of the state. In turn, the formation of the state itself gives a powerful impetus to the further division of labor, allocation to a special sphere of mental labor, contributes to the development of the economy, spiritual life, and the whole society.

So briefly and in the most general form, you can imagine the process of formation of statehood. The reality is much richer - there is no single model suitable for all.

The forms of the state include forms of government (monarchies and republics), forms of territorial-state structure (unitary state, federation, confederation) and political regime (democracy, totalitarianism, authoritarianism).

Let's get acquainted with the main forms of the state.

Monarchies, their types

Absolute monarchy(in Russia it was called autocracy) is a form of government in which the supreme power in the state belongs to one person who receives it by inheritance. In the hands of the autocrat converge all the threads of power. He establishes laws, monitors their implementation, judges and pardons his subjects. His will is the source of power, the law, but he himself stands above the law. A similar order of organization of the supreme power was widespread in the Middle Ages both in Russia and in the East. Nowadays, there are almost no absolute monarchies on earth, because the importance and political activity of the peoples and the bodies they have elected have increased. Examples of absolute monarchy today are Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar.

Dualistic monarchy- an interesting and peculiar form of government. Most often it develops in such conditions when the old forces, for example, the landowners, find themselves forced to share their power with the new forces claiming it - the commercial and industrial circles, seeking a kind of compromise with them.

The monarchy still reflects the interests of the forces of the past, but parliaments are also being created - elected representative bodies, which are formally granted legislative powers. In fact, these parliaments do not have any influence on the formation of the government and its activities, since the monarch has the right to veto (the Latin word “veto” means “I forbid”), that is, to cancel the decision of the parliament, and can even dissolve it if he wishes.

Examples of such monarchies today are Morocco, Kuwait, Jordan.

Constitutional (parliamentary) monarchy- the most common type of monarchy at the present time. In constitutional monarchies, the power of the monarch is no longer unlimited. Its framework is clearly outlined by laws and the constitution. Great Britain is the most characteristic example of a parliamentary monarchy today. The limitation of royal power in England, its regulation by laws dates back to 1215, from the moment the Magna Carta was adopted under King John Landless. And after the adoption in 1691 of the "Bill of Rights" - a document that recorded the achievements of the English bourgeois revolution of the 17th century, an order was established in the country in which "the king reigns, but does not rule." Laws are passed by Parliament. Their execution is entrusted to the government, which is formed by the prime minister, who is also the leader of the party that won the parliamentary elections.

The functions of the monarch are largely nominal, although to this day the government of Great Britain is called "Her Majesty's Government" (since 1952, Elizabeth II has been the Queen of England). However, the British monarch performs important representative functions, is a symbol of the unity of the country, the head of the British Commonwealth of Nations (the former colonial empire of Great Britain). Most modern monarchies are parliamentary.

Republic and its forms

The republican form of government has also come a long historical way in its development. The first republics were Greek policies - city-states: Athens, Corinth, Thebes and others. For a long time there was a republic in Rome. It was the Romans who introduced the very word "republic" into the political vocabulary ( res- case, publicos- public). The modern world knows two main types of republics: presidential and parliamentary

Presidential republic characterized primarily by the combination in the hands of the president of the powers of the head of state and the head of the executive branch. The post of prime minister in such a republic, as a rule, is absent. The presidential republic is built on the principles of the division of power into its three branches - legislative, executive and judicial - and their balancing with the help of a system of checks and balances. The meaning of this system is that none of the branches of government can take precedence over the others. The president of the country is elected by extra-parliamentary means: either by popular vote (as, for example, now in our country), or by an electoral college (as, say, in the USA). This ensures the independence of the President's source of power from Parliament. The president himself forms the government, the administration, and they report to him. The president also receives the right of suspensive veto over parliamentary decisions: he can return any bill to the supreme legislative body for reconsideration. But if the parliament votes for it for the second time, by a qualified majority - 2/3 in both chambers, then the project becomes a law, gains legal force, regardless of the opinion of the president. The president has no right to dissolve parliament.

Parliamentary republic distinguished primarily by the supremacy of Parliament. It is to him that the government is responsible. The formal sign of a parliamentary republic is the presence of the post of prime minister (for example, in Germany he is called chancellor). The formation of the government is carried out from among the leaders of the party that has the majority of seats in the lower house of parliament. The head of state, the president, performs only governmental functions. In such a state, the influence of parties on politics is stronger. However, in a parliamentary republic, it is often the governments that begin to play the role of first violin in the political orchestra. They establish strict control over the activities of the parliament. Examples of parliamentary republics are such states as Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, India, Israel, Turkey. In particular, in Italy, the president is elected at a joint meeting of both houses of parliament with the participation of delegates from the regions. In the sphere of legislative power, the president has the right to convene parliament for extraordinary sessions, the right to dissolve parliament or one of its chambers. However, such decisions must be agreed with the ministers and approved by them.

Finally, there are republics that are difficult to classify as parliamentary or presidential, because they have features of both. These republics are mixed form of government. The most characteristic example of such a republic can be considered the 5th republic (since 1958) in France. Outwardly, all the attributes of parliamentarism were preserved in it, but in reality the center of power shifted towards the president. The President of France was endowed with broad powers, since 1962 he began to be elected by the entire population of the country, which has the right to vote. The government is formed by the president and is responsible to him. A member of the cabinet of ministers cannot be a member of parliament at the same time, moreover, the position is incompatible with any other public service and professional activity. In fact, the president leads the government, not the prime minister. The President of France can dissolve parliament; he can also issue ordinances - special decrees that come into effect without prior agreement with parliamentarians.

Form of government in the Russian Federation

In modern Russia, it has also established mixed form of government. On the one hand, the president is elected by direct vote, is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the country's Armed Forces, and has the right of suspensive veto. On the other hand, he is not inscribed in any of the branches of power, but, as it were, stands above them. Parliament not only approves the head of government, but can also pass a vote of no confidence in the government. Russia needs a strong presidential power today in order to better overcome the difficulties and crises facing the country. A country as large and diverse in its way of life as Russia needs centralization of power, the ability of power to make operational decisions. Positioned above the branches of power, the President of Russia ensures the organization of their activities and manages them. The president also plays an important role in the legislative process: he initiates the development and adoption of a number of new laws. At the same time, the power of the president in the Russian Federation is not unlimited. Its decrees should not contradict the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the laws of the country - normative acts that have the highest legal force. The Parliament of the Russian Federation - the Federal Assembly - can dismiss the president from office, provided that 2/3 of the votes in each of the chambers are submitted for this decision: the Federation Council and the State Duma.

modern state structure. Unitary statehood

The modern world knows three main forms of government: unitary state, in which all power, all the fullness of sovereignty is concentrated in the center; union state - federation; a special union of states - a confederation.

Most common in the world unitary form(from lat. "unus"- "one"). Such states include, for example, France, Greece, Portugal, Ukraine, Sweden, Japan. The characteristic features of a unitary state are:

• the presence of a single constitution - the basic law of the country, the supremacy of which is recognized throughout the territory;
• a unified system of state authorities - one parliament, one head of state, one government - the jurisdiction (powers) of which extends to the entire territory of the country;
• single citizenship;
• unified system of law, unified system of justice;
• the territory consists of administrative-territorial units: counties, departments, districts. Autonomy is allowed only within the framework of local self-government;
• sovereignty in such a state is not divided, it is all concentrated in the center.

The unitary form of government is relatively simple and is considered the most convenient for managing the economy and other areas of the country's life. But not always this form can fully reflect the interests, traditions of the country, its people. For example, in unitary Spain, which, according to the constitution, is a single state, for many years, materials about the Basque movement for autonomy, that is, for the isolation of their country, have not left the pages of newspapers. The fact is that, according to Spanish state laws, the Basque Country and Catalonia have only national-territorial autonomy, that is, local self-government, and the essence of the requirements of national minorities is to give their autonomy the status of state. But the most inappropriate unitary form turns out to be for large multinational states with a complex historical fate.

Federation is a complex state structure. Confederation

The next form of government is union state - federation. Each of the states that has this form of structure has its own characteristics. The federations include the United States of America, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Commonwealth of Australia, India, Russia.

A federation is a complex state, consisting of separate parts, each of which has legal, partly political and economic independence. Sovereignty in such a state is distributed between the center and the subjects of the federation (states, lands, provinces, cantons, regions). Federation states have a number of specific features.

First of all, the territory of the federation includes the territories of the subjects of the federation. In some federations, along with state entities, there are also territories that are not subjects of the federation, for example, in the United States there is the Federal District of Columbia, within which the US capital, Washington, is located. In India, in addition to 26 states, there are special territories of central subordination. The subjects of the federation are not full-fledged states: they do not have the right either on their own behalf, or even more so on behalf of the entire federation state, to conclude international agreements; most often they do not have the right to unilaterally withdraw from the union (the right of secession). It was the unconstitutional secession of the southern states from the US federation that led to a severe civil war between the North and the South.

A federal state is characterized by a strong center that dominates the political sphere. So, in the USA, for example, if necessary, the federal authorities of the country have the so-called right of intervention, that is, they can send federal troops to the territory of any state, even if its authorities did not ask for it.

At the same time, the subjects of the federation are vested with their constituent powers. They can adopt their own constitutions and laws, but on the condition that these constitutions and laws do not contradict the federal ones, although it is not at all necessary that the constitutions of the subjects be adopted later than the federal constitution. Examples in this regard are the US state of Massachusetts, which has a constitution of 1780, and the state of New Hampshire, whose constitution was adopted in 1783, while the US federal constitution was adopted only in 1787.

The subjects of the federation may have their own legal and judicial systems. One of the formal signs of a federation can be dual citizenship, when each citizen is both a citizen of the federation and the corresponding state entity, for example, a state in the United States or the land of Germany. The constitutions of some federal states, like India, for example, recognize only federal citizenship.

Federal states are characterized by a bicameral structure of parliament. The upper chamber is formed from representatives of the subjects of the federation, usually on the basis of equal representation.

A special form of government is a confederation - a voluntary agreement of independent sovereign states that have their own coats of arms, anthems, capital, constitutions, citizenship. Each of the states included in the confederation is a member of international organizations and pursues its own foreign policy. But common areas are also being created, for example, the single currency, customs, foreign policy and defense.

State- a political-territorial sovereign organization of public authority, having a special apparatus and a will binding on all citizens.
The state is the main institution of the political system.
The main features of the state:
1) territorial organization of power (institutions of citizenship, state borders);
2) the public nature of power (the discrepancy between the state and society, the administrative apparatus);
3) the sovereign nature of power (supremacy within the country and independence in external relations);
4) the coercive nature of power (“monopoly on legal violence”);
5) the exclusive right to levy taxes and fees and to issue (issue) money;
6) obligatory membership in the state;
7) representation of society as a whole, protection of common interests and common good;
8) the presence of state symbols (coat of arms, flag, anthem).
The main theories of the origin of the state: theological, class, patriarchal, contractual (natural law), the theory of violence.

State apparatus (mechanism)- a system of state bodies and institutions through which state power and state administration are exercised. Its structure is determined by the functions of the state.