Various political philosophers have posited theories that seek to explain the origin of the state. Barnes argues that this line of thought was begun by Socrates, who introduced the concept of the law of nature as constructed to human law (Barnes, 1924, p. 19). Socrates viewed the state as a majestic horse that needed constant guidance to fulfil its rightful responsibilities. He believed that achieving this involved consistently prompting the state’s understanding of its duties across different settings throughout the day (Barnes, 1924). This article traces philosophical thought of the origin of the state that followed Socrates’ thesis. Plato Socrates’ disciple, Plato, presents a more sophisticated definition of the state in his most famous work - Republic. For Plato, the multiplicity of the wants of mankind, and the resulting division of labour to achieve them, was the foundation of the origin of the state. (Barnes, 1924). “A state, according to Plato, is an integration of the needy and their helpers, every person belonging to both of these classes” (Barnes, 1924). The state emerges through the gradual aggregation of basic familial units into tribes, which subsequently consolidate to form a city (Barnes, 1924). Niccolo Machiavelli Despite the highly influential ideas of Socrates and Plato, their explanations of origin are not
widely used in political science today. "Nowadays, when a person or party comes to power, it is said to take over the state or the government" (Mansfield, 1983). The state plays a crucial role in protecting individuals, as it is responsible for caring for its citizens. Machiavelli challenges the current classical expression of the state (Mansfield, 1983). For Machiavelli, "the state is the highest form of social organization and the most necessary of all institutions" (Mansfield, 1983). Machiavelli saw the state as responsible for the welfare of its citizens. He argued that the state originated to satisfy citizens' material needs (Mansfield, 1983). Influenced by life in Florence, in Renaissance Italy, where Machiavelli served as the second chancellor, his most famous works the Discourses and the Prince analyse political categories - monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy - tracing back to Aristotle (Harding, 1994). Machiavelli sees the state as the highest authority in human society, emphasising its need for sovereignty, autonomy, and protection from religious 18 | P a g e
