Introduction to Political Theory 115that even though the “people” are not organized, that although
the “people” have no formal method of exercising sovereignty,
in the long run, the “people” always win.
What then, is the function of this institution which is similar
to most other institutions, yet because of sovereignty is stronger
than any? The first and most basic function of the state is to
maintain order. Each state’s philosophy is based on a particular
premise as to how best establish and maintain order. The
structure of the state should be in harmony with that philosophy;
any contradictions between the structure and the philosophy
would probably lead to disorder, or at least, unrest. We should
look to the philosophical premises about how a state should
function, then examine whether the structure facilitates the
implementation of that philosophy.
The Founding Fathers used the Preamble to the United States
Constitution sets forth certain philosophical goals: “to establish
domestic tranquility” (maintain order); “to form a more perfect
union” (refers to the problems of the Articles of Confederation
and how the structure failed to carry out the promise of the
philosophy); “establish justice” (a very important goal of most
states, to insure that the citizens can reasonably expect fair
treatment); “provide for the common defense” (another primary
purpose of the state, to provide for the people’s security);
“promote the general Welfare” (order is not enough; order is the
basis for progress, and the state’s role is to provide an atmo
sphere for individual and group progress); “And secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” (a basic
philosophical statement about a high American priority, liberty).
The Constitution is the document which creates the structure and
provides the means (laws) by which the government will carry
out its function in accordance with the philosophical goals.
How did the state come into being? Theories about the origin
of the state, coupled with speculation about the nature of the
state, become important as premises upon which to base theories
of how the state should function, and what structure will best
accomplish the goals set forth by the philosophy. We will briefly
study the kinship theory, the force theory, the social contract
theory, the divine theory, the organic and organismic theories.
The kinship theory of the state explains the origin of the state
as the outgrowth of the family. If one were to accept the father