Understanding State Structures and Global Governance
The State and Its Powers
Political organization defines how power and decision-making are structured and distributed within a society. The state is an independent political unit that exercises sovereign power over a territory defined by borders.
Branches of State Power
The functions of the state are divided into three branches:
- Legislative: Produces or makes laws binding on all persons.
- Executive: Applies laws and rules, exercised by the state government.
- Judiciary: Judges, ensures compliance with the law, and resides in the courts.
The State Government encompasses all institutions and agencies dependent on the state.
Forms of Government
According to their form of government, states may be:
Parliamentary vs. Presidential Systems
- Parliamentary Systems: Can be monarchies or republics. The executive branch is divided into a head of state and a prime minister.
- Presidential Republics: The president acts as both head of state and head of government.
Democratic and Authoritarian States
Characteristics of Democratic States
Democratic states exhibit the following traits:
- State and government power are limited by law.
- A constitution outlines citizens’ rights.
- Sovereignty resides in the people, who participate in or delegate government decisions.
- Political pluralism is supported, allowing the existence and legality of political parties.
- Free and pluralistic elections permit power renewal.
- Effective division or separation of the three branches of government.
Characteristics of Authoritarian States
Authoritarian states exhibit the following traits:
- State and government power have no limits.
- Sovereignty resides in one person.
- There is no political or ideological pluralism.
- Free elections do not exist.
- The division of powers is not respected.
Centralized vs. Decentralized States
- Centralized States: Decisions are made for the entire territory. Territorial divisions are governed by persons designated by the central government.
- Decentralized States: Decision-making is distributed among different territorial divisions, which are governed by their own administrations.
Factors Influencing State Changes
State changes are due to:
- Decolonization: Led to independence for many nations in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
- Disappearance of the Communist Bloc: Resulted in the emergence or reunification of states (e.g., Czechoslovakia, Germany).
- Globalization and Supranational Integration: Changes related to sovereignty are influenced by globalization, the emergence of regional and local identities within countries, and the integration of states into supranational organizations.
Key Differences Among States
- Age: Ancient (e.g., China) and recent (e.g., Eritrea).
- Territorial Extension: Varying from small to large (e.g., macrostates).
- Political Organization: Democracies and dictatorships.
- Demographic Weight: Populous (e.g., China) versus small populations (e.g., Malta).
- Economic Activity: Capitalist, socialist, and mixed systems.
- Development Level: Can be high, medium, or low.
- International Influence: Based on political, military, and economic power.
European Union Institutions
- European Council: The highest political body, composed of EU heads of state or government. Purpose: To determine objectives and overall priorities.
- Council of the European Union: Represents member states. Functions: To pass laws and the budget.
- European Commission: Composed of a president and one commissioner per member state. Functions: To propose laws, ensure compliance, and manage the budget.
- European Parliament: Represents EU citizens. Functions: To pass laws and budgets.
- Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): Consists of judges, ensuring EU law is enforced equally.
- European Court of Auditors: Ensures the EU budget is properly managed.