The State-Origin, Content and Functions

The state has become an omnipotent force in recent times. Progressively, the range of the State's functions has been widening, and its involvement has become deeper and deeper in practically each of its functions. The ancient and well-recognized function of the State relating to the prevention, investigation, detection and punishment of crime has acquired complex economic, commercial and electronic dimensions because - indeed- crime has. Further, there are no signs whatsoever of the State's withering away. Present day governments are becoming increasingly important to people in many ways, some of them obvious and some not very obvious. Notwithstanding the persistent opposition of many ideologues and politicians, not to speak of that of much common citizenry as well, the State has gone on to becoming the towering structure it is today- for good o for ill. Prima facie, it seems clear that man, society and the State constitute a integral organization, no part of which is separable from the rest without serious damage (in form, structure or content) to the part itself and/or to the rest of the integral.

G. Jaathpathi, a distinguished member of the 1948 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, held several important positions in the Government of Madhya Pradesh/Government of India/ United Nations. He retired as the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madhya Pradesh. After retiring, he was the Adviser to the Governor of Punjab during President's rule and Adviser to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. In the present work he discusses the role of the state in society drawing heavily on his 40 plus years of experience as an administrator in some of the highest positions in the state and central governments and the United Nations.