CHARACTERISTIC OF THE STATE

CHARACTERISTIC OF THE STATE

The State as an institution came into existence as part of a historical process. In the

third world, decolonization shaped the state, giving it specific characteristics. The? Boundaries existing at the time of colonization were modified in some cases; in other

Cases entirely new states were carved out. The temporal boundaries of the state did not

always coincide with the Nation; that is, often people belonging to different ethnic

groups, nationalities were brought together and the boundaries of the colonies were

traced, delimited according to the needs of the colonial powers. African states are the

best examples to indicate the armciality of the state. Nigeria for example was entirely a

British creation. The Third World States became states before they became nations. This,

is to a large extent, is responsible for territorial conflicts and for problem of national

integration. A number of Third World Counuies face ethnic and secessionist movements

in the post-colonial era. British colonial policies and the dynamics of nationalist

movements led to the creation of Pakistan's secessionist movement which is turn led to

the creation of Bangladesh. The d ~ c i a l i t y of the colonial boundaries, the impact of

colonial legacy and the dynamics of decolonization processes explain the complexity of

the Third World State.

The third world state has the following distinct features.

1. It is an over developed state;

2. It enjoys autonomy from the dominant classes;

3. It protects the interests of the metropolitan bourgeoisie &so.

An 'Over-developed State'

In the Western capitalist countries the modem nation-state has emerged due to internal

dynamics of society. It cam into being in the course of a historical transition to

capitalism. The rising capitalist class took the initiative to establish a nation-state.

In the third world the motive force for change in the political institutions came from

outside. During the colonial period the third world was dominated by the western

capitalist countries. The colonial rulers had created political institutions in their own

image to facilitate domination over the native classes and economic exploitation of the

colonies.

To perform these functions the colonial rulers have related an elaborated legal-institu-

tional structure to control the colonies. The many and the bureaucracy who manned

these institutions played a vital role in managing the affairs of the colonial rulers.

Even after independence the elaborate structure remained in existence. There are two

salient features of this state: one, that it is not formed by the local classes nor is it

established as a consequence of social change, two, the native ruling classes had no

control over the state.

Emergence of theThird World

The state is far ahead of the time and space in which it is located. In the third world

counmes therefore bureaucracy and the army have acquired a central place. In the

western capitalist countries the bureaucracy plays an auxiliary role. It is an instrument of

the dominant class, whereas in the third world it has a central place and it enjoys

autonomy from the dominant classes.

An over developed state weakens democratic institutions. Even in those third world

countries where democratic institutions exist and the elected representatives control the

state agencies, bureaucracy retains its domination over the state. However it exercises

control in league with politicians. ,

In counuies having democratic control politicians occupy central place. Politicians

articulate the demands of the people to cultivate support. They formulate policies to

fulfill the demands of the people. In this process politicians provide legitimacy to the

political institutions. However, the power is hemmed in by bureaucratic procedures and

controls. Politicians are converted into brokers between the state and the people.

12.3.2 Autonomy

The western countries are domina~cd by a single well-formed dominant class. In all the

western countries the capitalist class is the dominant class. The third world is marked by

the existence of multiple dominant classes. The landlord class, i.e. local bourgeoisie of

the metropolis control the third world. An alliance consisting of all these classes

dominates the state. The alliance is called historic bloc. The historic bloc arises because

the social formation in third world consists of elements from both capitalist as well as

precapitalist social relations. The capitalist class is weak and incapable of fighting

against the pre-capitalist relations in society.

The capitalist class is weak because it exercises limited control over the economic

activity. A large part of the economic production is controlled either by the metropoli-

tan bourgeoisie or by the local landed gentry. No class is enough strong to exercise

contrdl over the state.

Since there is no single dominant class, the slate acquires the autonomy to regulate the

relationship between different classes of the historic bloc. The third world state, by

deploying vast economic resources to reproduce capitalist production pmess in the

interest of local dominant classes and the bourgeoisie of the metropolis, sustains its

Autonomy.

12.3.3 Control of the Metropolis

The third world state is subjected' to control by extraneous forces. The under-developed

nature of the economy and the nature of the ruling elitelclasses renders the state

dependent on foreign aid and capital. The ruling elite by acting as mediators between

the sfate and the external capital amass profits. This process does not help developmerit.

The gap between the ruled and the rulers and between the rich and the poor widens. It

is fanfetched to argue that €he third world state is completely under the control of

imperialist rulers. Independence from colonial domination has eliminated the scope for

the bourgeoisie of the imperialist powers to exercise direct control over the third world

state. However it influences the third world state indirectly. The over-developed third

world state by dissolving the national boundaries, creates favourable conditions for the

world market to penetrate into the third world. The state by facilitating the induction of

technology and investment brings about the integration of the third world into the

global market. The state, the ruling elite, negotiate with C.e external world with

dimirgishing power and ability to do so.