Typology of the state

The typology of the state and law can be conducted according to various criteria in accordance with this or that direction. Until recently, the only class in the educational and scientific literature was the class-oriented trend. In accordance with it, the typology of the state was implemented taking into account the economic system in the class society, the nature of the relations (exploitative or non-exploitative). It was, therefore, about the totality of the most significant features that are characteristic of systems in one socio-economic formation.

With the development of world political and legal thought, other criteria were worked out, according to which the typology of the state is conducted. For example, Jellinek believed that, despite continuous transformation and development, it is possible to establish certain causal signs. They will impart to the concrete state (or group) throughout its history the features that refer it to a certain type. Jellinek divided the system into ideal and empirical ones.

The ideal type of German lawyer considered a conceivable state that does not really exist. This system was contrasted with the empirical one. The typology of the state in accordance with the empirical approach provides for the consideration of the system in accordance with the nature of the state union, as well as the position that the individual occupies in this system. Jellinek distinguishes between modern, medieval, Roman, Greek and the ancient Eastern system.

The above direction is considered today the most common. Based on the notion of "civilization", it is a civilizational approach to the typology of the state. Toynbee (English historian) concretized and further developed the basic concept. He understood civilization as a relatively closed and local state of society, characterized by a common geographic, economic, cultural, psychological, religious and other factors.

The newest studies of the history of mankind have shown the one-dimensionality (one-linearity) of the formational explanation of the system of development and functioning of society. In connection with this, such a typology of the state does not have an exhaustive, global character. Outside this direction, there are quite a lot of historical phenomena that make up the deep essence and characteristics of society.

First of all, when analyzing economic fundamentals, one does not take into account the multidimensionality that accompanies almost the entire social history from the moment of society's transition to a civilized state. When this fundamental fact is taken into account, traditional representations change significantly.

When using the formational approach, there is a significant narrowing in the structure of the class strata and their social composition. This is due to the fact that mainly class-antagonists are taken into account. Other sections of society are moving beyond the study, not fitting into the traditional model.

Formational approach significantly limits the possibilities of analyzing the cultural, spiritual life of the society, enclosing them in the range of ideas, values and ideas that are aimed at reflecting the interests of the main antagonistic classes.

The civilizational approach is broader and more rich, allowing to distinguish not only class opposition, but also the sphere of their mutual relations on the basis of universal values. It becomes possible to study not only the contradictions, but also the community of spiritual principles, reflected in the behavior of people in different spheres of activity.

Civilizational approach, thus, allows to represent the state not only as an instrument of political domination of the exploiter class over the exploited class. In the political system, power, among other things, is the most important factor in the social, economic, spiritual development of the society, the satisfaction of different human needs, the consolidation of people.