Introduction

The political power of society is vested in state. State refers to the social institutions or organizations having a monopoly on the legitimate use of power. Ideally, state represents the collective will and power of people: will to defend them from external threats, adapt them to changing circumstances, and ensure peace and justice. Yet, state does not have a fixed shape in all societies. The nature of state is heavily associated with the technological developments, socio-economic conditions and culture. As the conditions of life changed from ancient times to present times, the nature of state also changed. This lecture is devoted to nature of state, democracy, functions of state and limitations of the power of the state.