Human Sociability and the Modern State: Key Concepts
Human Sociability: Natural or Self-Interested?
The human tendency to live in society has often been called sociability. Sociability consists of the inclination to live sharing with other individuals of the same species, not only a common territory, but also the responsibility and the task to ensure the survival of each member of this society in particular and, above all, the survival of the group as a whole.
However, while for some people the fact of sharing life with others is something purely accidental and casual (that is, in fact we live in society, but we could live otherwise), for others it is necessary and a distinctive feature of our human nature that we need to live with others (that is, it is that way and it can only be that way). So, in short, the question is whether human sociability is natural or self-interested. We can answer this question from two opposing points of view:
Sociability and Self-Interest
Authors like Thomas Hobbes or Sigmund Freud maintain that the human being is not a social being by nature, but we live in society for pure self-interest. Our way of being does not lead us to live in society to fulfil ourselves as human beings, but to guarantee our survival.
Therefore, for those who defend this point of view, the human being is not predisposed to mingle and cooperate with others; on the contrary, the human being is a selfish being who perceives others as possible rivals in the satisfaction of their desires, or simply as means or instruments to satisfy their own interests. However, because of the difficulties that human beings encounter threatening their survival, they look for help from others.
Sociability and Nature
On the other hand, according to authors such as Aristotle or Erich Fromm, the human being is incomplete by nature and, therefore, we are in need of others. Life in society is the state in which the human being can fulfil themselves by developing all their abilities. Thus, living in community is an essential necessity of the human being, not a limitation to their impulses, but a way of living that makes possible, precisely, their development.
The Modern State: Definition and Characteristics
Niccolò Machiavelli was the first to use the term “State” in the field of political philosophy. Machiavelli understood that the State is a type of political organization characterized by a permanent and indisputable power in a specific territory. This power, despite being exercised from different institutions (social, legal, administrative…), is unique and exclusive. In addition, the State is sovereign and it is in charge of maintaining stability and order.
From then on, the term “State” will be used to refer to the sovereign power over a territory which is exercised from various administrations and which has the monopoly of the use of force and violence. Therefore, the main characteristics of the modern state are:
Key Characteristics of the Modern State
Territorial Power
The power of the State extends to the whole territory that delimits its borders. Within these borders, nothing and no one escapes its power. Any person or organization acting in its territory is automatically subjected to its rules. Thus, for example, a foreigner visiting the Spanish State is subjected to our national legislation during his stay and could be punished if he did not comply.
Sovereignty
At the state level there is no instance higher than the State itself. So, the State is the supreme sovereign within its territory, because it has supreme authority. The other associations or institutions of that community (companies, trade unions, clubs, foundations …) are subordinated to it and must operate within what the State authorizes. Otherwise, they can be sanctioned or cancelled. However, at present, the importance acquired by supranational organizations (EU, UN…) are calling into question that States can and should be governed independently of what these international organizations dictate.
Maintaining Order
This is perhaps the main function of the State. The State has an obligation to protect its members from internal and external threats. Thus, internally, it must enforce the law to avoid conflicts and ensure stability and social peace. Externally, it must protect its citizens from foreign attacks or incursions by means of international relations and diplomacy.