1

Philippine History with Politics,

Governance and Constitution

Lesson No.
Date

Lesson Title

The State as a political entity

Lesson Target
References
Title

Identify important concepts in the creation of a state

Author

07
07 Feb.
2014

Textbook on the New Philippine Constitution

Politics in a Changing World: A Comparative introduction to Political
Science
Page
De Leon, H. (2009).
Number(s)
Ethridge, M. & Handelman, H. (2010).

The Philippine state evolved in different various forms before it was granted
sovereignty given only to a state. The granting of independence has signaled the
beginning of the evolution of the country into a full member of the community of
nations. As a state, the Philippines has internal and external sovereignty over its
citizens, it has control over its borders and territorial domains; it has the power and
authority to use force if her existence is threatened by other states. However, as a
political organization, it must create its own set of laws significant to its development
and well-being and its leaders must have a mandate of the people to govern.
The term state is sometimes use synonymously when referring to a nation and
government. But these two are only under the authority of the state and are part of the
elements of the state. A state has inherent powers that can be used to exercise it powers
and authority, these inherent powers are important for the development and existence
of the state. The citizens are governed under these powers.
As a political entity, the state has the right to use force to compel its subjects to respect
and follow the laws; it can curtail the freedom and civil liberties of the people. The
political ideology of the state is reflected on its government, laws, and foreign relations.
This module will discuss the theory of the origin of the state, inherent powers and the
meaning of nation, state and government.
What is a state?
A state is a community of nations more or less numerous permanently occupying a
definite portion of territory, having a government of their own to which the great body

of inhabitants render obedience and enjoying freedom from external control (De Leon,
Hector).
Elements of a state
States are created based on the elements mentioned below. If these requirements are not
followed or if there is a conflict or issue in one of the elements, the legitimacy of the
state is always challenged. It is important that a state is recognized by the international
community, because without recognition, its existence, authority and power are always
in doubt.
1. People refers to the group of people living within the state
2. Territory it refers to the territorial domains over which the state exercises
control or sovereignty
3. Government it is an agency to which the political ideology of the state is
expressed and carried out
4. Sovereignty it is the power of the state to enforce the law over its subjects
within its jurisdiction and demand obedience from them
Two types of sovereignty
1. Internal sovereignty the power of the state to command authority within its
jurisdiction
2. External sovereignty the power and freedom of the state to carry out its
activities without foreign domination or control
Duties of the State
Peace and order and national security
Political harmony or good laws
Social justice
Economic development
Individual and collective development of people
Theories of the origin of the state
Political scientists have postulated many theories as to the origin of the creation of the
state. Beginning from the history of ancient civilizations, the concept of a state has
already been practiced. The following theories will give us an idea of the possibilities on
how the origin of the state is created.

1. Divine right theory this theory postulates that the state is of divine creation
and the ruler is ordained by God to govern the people
2. Force theory this theory embarks on the belief that some powerful group of
people or great warriors imposed their will upon the weak
3. Paternalistic theory this theory attributes the concept of a state to the
enlargement of the family
4. Social contract theory rests on the idea that people voluntarily submitted
themselves and their right to an organization for the purpose of establishing a
society
The Three inherent powers of the state
A state is a very powerful entity. Even from the earliest history, the state commands
supreme authority to enforce its will upon the people. These powers are inherent in
nature and the foundation of its existence. No state can exist without these powers,
because it through these powers that state derive its authority.
1. Eminent Domain the power of the state or of those to whom the power is
delegated to take or expropriate private property for public use upon payment of
just compensation
Conditions for or limitations of the exercise of eminent domain
Existence of public use
Payment of just compensation
Observance of due process of law in the taking
2. Police Power the power of the state to enact laws or regulations in relation to
persons and property
Basis of police power
The welfare of the people is the supreme law
So use your own so as not to injure anothers property
Illustrations of police power
Public health
Public morals
Public safety
General welfare and convenience

3. Power of taxation the power of the state to impose charge or burden upon
persons or property or property rights for the use and support of the government
What is a nation?
A nation is a group of people bound together by certain characteristics and shares the
same history, ancestry, culture, and language.
Benedict Anderson asserted that nations were imagined communities it is imagined
because even though people do not know each other or do not meet all the members,
they share the same common history, culture, language and tradition that are practiced
by every member. They have the same feelings of belongingness and talk the same
events that were part of their history even though they were miles away from one
another.
Government defined
The government is an agency of the state to which its will and ideology is expressed. A
state cannot exist without a government as it is one of the elements of the state. It is
through the government that the states political ideology is reflected.
The Philippine state has adopted various forms of government. However, the
provocative challenge to the Philippine governmental structure was adopted during the
rule of Ferdinand Marcos, when he fused together the executive and legislative
department.