CIÊNCIA POLÍTICA E DIREITO | TEORIA GERAL DO ESTADO

Summary

In this video, Cíntia Brunelli introduces the theory of the state, exploring its origins, structure, and evolution. She delves into the contributions of ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, as well as Machiavelli's insights on power dynamics. The video explains how the state emerged as a political-legal organization, emphasizing its role in maintaining order and achieving the public good. Cíntia also highlights the importance of understanding law from the basics, offering an accessible approach for beginners through her online course, 'First Steps in Law.'

Takeaways

• 😀 Political Science is the study of the fundamental principles of the state, including its origin, structure, purpose, and evolution.
• 😀 The word 'state' originates from Ancient Greece, where city-states were governed using the term 'polis', meaning city.
• 😀 Plato's 'The Republic' described the ideal state, suggesting that peace and justice can only exist when philosophers are rulers.
• 😀 Aristotle's work 'Politics' analyzed real-world states like Athens and Sparta to understand their political structures and forms of government.
• 😀 Machiavelli's 'The Prince' focused on how rulers could gain and maintain power while avoiding coups or rebellions.
• 😀 Modern political science has seen the emergence of written constitutions that codify the fundamental norms of the state.
• 😀 The state is now understood as a collective society working towards achieving the common good, where laws and governance ensure order and justice.
• 😀 The concept of the state arose out of the need for a society to establish rules, moving away from the law of the strongest.
• 😀 The state is sovereign, meaning it is not subordinate to other states and can impose its will on its citizens to maintain order.
• 😀 A state is defined by three core elements: a population, a territory, and a government, all working together to maintain the public good.

Q & A

What is Political Science and how does it relate to the theory of the state?

Political Science is the study of the fundamental principles of political society, focusing on aspects like the origin, structure, forms, purpose, and evolution of the state. It provides an understanding of how societies organize themselves politically and how governance functions to achieve the common good.

What is the significance of the word 'state' in the context of Political Science?

The word 'state' refers to a political society or an organized community with a government that has sovereignty over its territory. It signifies the structure and organization of human society aimed at achieving the general good and maintaining order.

How did Ancient Greece contribute to the development of Political Science?

In Ancient Greece, the term 'polis' referred to city-states, which were small political entities. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle laid the groundwork for political theory by analyzing the nature of the state, governance, and justice, which significantly shaped Political Science.

What was Plato’s ideal state according to his work 'The Republic'?

Plato's ideal state, as described in 'The Republic', envisioned a society governed by philosopher-kings. He believed that peace and justice could only be achieved when those who rule are wise and knowledgeable, thus making them the ideal leaders.

How did Aristotle approach the study of the state differently from Plato?

Aristotle, in his work 'Politics', took a more empirical approach by studying the political organizations of real city-states like Athens and Sparta. Unlike Plato’s theoretical model, Aristotle focused on understanding the existing forms of government and the principles underlying them.

What is the relevance of Machiavelli’s 'The Prince' in the study of political power?

Machiavelli’s 'The Prince' focuses on the strategies rulers can use to acquire and maintain power. His work is significant because it shifted the focus from idealistic governance to the practicalities of realpolitik, dealing with power struggles, conspiracies, and the preservation of political control.

How do modern constitutions relate to the theory of the state?

Modern constitutions codify the fundamental norms and principles of the state, outlining the structure of government, rights, and duties of citizens. They reflect how the state is organized today, ensuring the sovereignty and legal framework necessary for governance.

What is the concept of the state as a society in modern political theory?

In modern political theory, the state is understood as a society where a specific people live within a defined territory and are governed by a sovereign government. The state exists to coordinate efforts towards achieving the common good, ensuring social harmony and order.

Why did people feel the need to form a state in society?

People felt the need to form a state to establish rules and laws that would protect individual rights and promote the common good. Before the state, human society operated under the 'law of the strongest', which led to chaos and disorder.

What role does the state play in maintaining public order and achieving the common good?

The state has the authority to enforce laws and maintain public order. It exercises power over its citizens to ensure that societal rules are followed, creating an environment where the common good can be achieved through coordinated efforts.