What is the state?

L.O.To be able to define the state.To be able to explain different views on the state.To be able to explain the social background of judges.

What is the state?

The state is parts of society that organise society by making, implementing and enforcing laws. Mainly made up of three parts –

• The Legislative• The Civil Service/Government• The Judiciary

Legislative

•House of Parliament•MPs•Make the laws of society.

Government/Civil Service

Carry

out

laws

Judiciary

Enforce laws

Views on the Role of The State

• The Pluralist View• There are many different groups in society

and power is shared between these groups.

• It is the job of the state to act as a referee managing the different interests and needs of all citizens.

Pluralist View

Conflict View

• Conflict view argues that those who hold positions of power in society tend to come from very narrow social backgrounds.

Many are from privileged backgrounds having been to private schools and Oxbridge.

Conflict View

• This power is used for the benefit of the minority.

• Only 7% go to Private School

Current Cabinet has 23 Millionaires

Conflict View

• Turn to page 233 and answer the questions on the table.

• Extension – Write a paragraph discussing whether the educational background of judges reflects that of the wider population and how far this has changed between 1985 and 2004.

Plenary

Give yourself a mark out of 5.

– I know what the state is and can give examples.

– I can explain the two different views on the state.