Essay On in Whose Interests Does the State Exercise Power?

State Power and its Interests

Governments in the world are empowered to ensure some functions are executed for various interests within the state. The government can exercise its power in favor of various political institutions and public interests. The essay explores the role of government and functions that it executes within an economy (Garner, Ferdinand and Lawson, 2020). For instance, the government has to guarantee its citizens basic healthcare facilities. The United States government is an example of n institution that works to coordinate various functions within the country for the interest of its citizens. Governments are elected through democratic processes in many occasions to serve essential tasks (Held, 1989). Equally, the provision of education and ensuring that security standards are maintained are some of the crucial functions of state power. In the event of exercising such power, the government serves the interest of its citizens. The paper explores ways that the state exercises power and the category to benefit from the use of state power.

The government and its organs must protect its territories. The state exercises its power whenever it deems necessary to ensure that citizens are protected from external attacks. Rivalry among states can result in a war, which might lead to loss of lives, displacement of people and other social issues (Schmidt et al., 2006). Territories must be protected from external threats that can destabilize peace. The state ensures that security is bestowed and citizens can carry out functions well without fear. In some circumstances, the government uses military force to protect borders whenever it is necessary. An example that can illustrate the protection of borders is the misunderstanding on the Mexican-American border, which prompted the US governments to resolve to construct a wall. To the US government, it is their duty to protect their territories from the entry of smugglers, drug dealers and illegal immigration into the country (Held, 1989). On the other hand, territories can be protected to ensure that an outbreak of a disease does not get to a state’s territory. A close examination of the role of government in administering security indicates that the state primarily exercises power in the interest of its citizens.

The second aspect that indicates whose interest the state exercises power is the function of government in the provision of basic commodities. It is important to examine why the government participates in the provision of aid to its people, especially during calamities and natural disasters (Gold, Lo and Wright, 1975). When the state has a problem that affects many people, it handles the matter on a national level for the interest of its citizens. In situations that people are struck by famine, the state intervenes and provides aid to people as a way of supporting them. The main reason why the government provides support is to protect and improve the welfare of its people. It is through government support and directives that the distribution of resources within a state is achieved (Keating, 2000). The government should be at the forefront of supporting its citizens whenever a problem crops up. Proper distribution of resources is important to ensure that some areas do not face extreme shortages for basic commodities. In other occasions, the state sets up legislation to control the distribution of resources as a way of achieving equality (Keating, 2000). The government exercises its state power in the provision of basics and other public goods for the interest of its citizens.

Third, the government is responsible for the construction of infrastructure and other amenities that are important within society. Infrastructure is a critical aspect of any economy that intends to do better on a global front. It is through improved infrastructure that citizens can carry out their daily functions (Gold, Lo and Wright, 1975). The government provides resources that are required for such projects and commissions their commencement. The main purpose is to ensure that citizens meet their obligation without struggling with poor infrastructure. People require to travel from one place to another for business, work or family purposes hence the need to have improved roads, airports and railway lines that can support the way of life. It is through political power that governments are formed, and they should utilize the power to serve the interests of citizens (Bornstein, Held and Krieger, 1984). Poor infrastructural development is detrimental to economic growth in a country hence the need for proper strategies to spearhead development. Various governments commit to the construction of roads, airports, railways lines, and social amenities s a way of serving the interest of its citizens.

The state is responsible for insuring domestic tranquillity for its citizens. Tranquillity refers to a situation where people within a nation are at peace and are enjoying unity. The state uses its power to ensure that there is calmness within society as a way of advancing mutual understanding and co-existence (Poggi, 1990). Internal matters that destabilize peace in a nation are handled using the right strategies in a bid to boost understanding. A country cannot achieve international diplomacy with internal conflicts. It is important to note that whenever such issues arise within a state’s territories, the government steps up efforts to ensure stability is restored. An example of a situation where the government ensures tranquillity is when a civilian government puts in place legislation to shape operations within society for the interest of its citizens. For instance, law and order are made possible through the state exercising its capacity. The constitution of each country mandates its government to protect people’s property and other aspects of conformity (English and Townshend, 1999). Tranquillity is important in providing an environment that is business-friendly for economic progress. As such, the fact that the government is involved in restoring tranquillity is indicative of its strong will in serving the interests of people.

Institutions within the society require coordination for them to run smoothly, upholding each other’s position in serving a particular interest. The state is responsible for legislation an enactment of some of the policies that control operations of such institutions (Hislope and Mughan, 2012). Equally, it is vital to note that the institutions are meant to serve the interest of specific individuals within the society. An example of an institution is the judicial system that works to ensure that justice is administered in a country. The state is mandated to empower the judiciary to provide basic services to people (Steinberger, 2005). In essence, the function of such institutions is to serve the interest of people or specific groups in society. Equally, the coordination of institutions within society is a function of government. The state power is applied to shape the scope of institutions and what they can do for citizens. If a state fails to control activities for such institutions, there is likelihood of people disrespecting the law and the government in place (Steinberger, 2005). The government acts in its capacity as a way of protecting and serving the interests of its citizens. Governments should step up efforts of managing social institutions in society for they shape behavior and other practices.

The government carries out diplomatic functions on a global platform for the interest of its citizens. For instance, when a government asks for a loan to fund infrastructure, it makes a move with a view of promoting the welfare of citizens. Such funds are used to improve the state of infrastructure and support sectors such s education. Another critical sector that the government works to ensure it functions properly is the healthcare system (Sanderson, 1963). Advanced healthcare system ensure that the economy has a productive workforce, making it necessary for the government to provide healthcare facilities. The hiring of healthcare professionals and enactment of legislative laws on health systems is a function of state power (Levy, Stephens and Leibfried, 2015). The essence of developing such legislation is to protect the interests of citizens and at the same time, advance development within the economy. Laws on diplomacy are made to help build relationships with other states.

To sum it up, the state exercises its power in the interests of its citizens in many different ways, including providing basics that are required in society. The state ensures security for people and insures domestic tranquillity. A peaceful and united society is productive and can prosper than one that is characterized by conflicts all the time. In the event of conflicts, the state exercises its power to bring calmness as a way of serving the interests of people. Creating proper diplomatic relationships is a function of the government in a bid to attract outside help when necessary. The state should exercise its power and ensure the construction of desirable infrastructural facilities for its people. The fact that it ensures that citizens are at peace and supplied with basic commodities is indicative of its will to protect the interest of its citizens. As such, it is certain to assert that the state exercises power in the interest of citizens in a particular country.

References

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