PHIL 335 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Centrism, Proletariat, Rationality
Document Summary
Weber"s definition of the state: an entity that has a monopoly over the use of legitimate coercive power in a given territory. Weber"s definition of politics: the pursuit of power over the state. Sole grantor of the right" to physical force. State - an entity, w/ monopoly over use of legitimate coercive power in a given territory. No use of violence in social institutions = anarchic. Pursuit for a portion of power, or for influencing the division of power whether between states or between groups of people which power encompasses. First: weber describes politics as something done exclusively with, and in relation to the state/between states. It lays claim to the monopoly of legitimate physical violence. This territory ideal is essential defining feature. The state successfully upholds a claim as the sole user of legitimate force. There are a few ways to uphold this claim. Coercion, expropriation of other force-users, consent building via democratic channels or otherwise .
