Which one of the following political theories advocates the withering away of the State?

1. Defining the State: Core Elements and Functions (basic)

To understand political theory, we must first define the State. While we often use the words 'state', 'nation', and 'government' interchangeably in daily life, in political science, the State is a specific entity defined by four essential elements: Population, Territory, Government, and Sovereignty. Sovereignty is perhaps the most critical; it refers to the State's supreme power to make decisions independently of external control and its monopoly over the legitimate use of physical force within its borders. As noted in Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI, THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION, p.223, modern states are 'excessively powerful' precisely because they hold this monopoly over coercion, which is intended for our safety but can be prone to abuse.

It is vital to distinguish the State from the Government. The State is an abstract, relatively permanent concept representing the collective political community. In contrast, the Government is the agent or the machinery through which the will of the State is formulated and expressed. While governments change through elections, the State continues to exist. For instance, in the Indian context, the territory of the State comprises the twenty-eight states, eight union territories, and any acquired territories, as detailed in Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Union Territories, p.409. In a federal system like India's, power is shared between the Centre and the constituent states to ensure administrative efficiency and political representation.

The functions of the State have evolved over centuries. Historically, many were 'Police States,' focused primarily on maintaining law and order and protecting territory. Today, most modern democracies are Welfare States, which actively intervene in the economy and social life to ensure the well-being of their citizens. Different ideologies view this role differently:

Ideology	View of the State
Liberalism	A necessary entity to protect individual rights and regulate the market fairly.
Marxism	An instrument of class oppression that should eventually "wither away" in a classless society.
Fascism	An absolute, all-encompassing entity; "everything within the state, nothing outside the state."

As emphasized in Political Theory, Class XI, Freedom, p.21, while some form of government may be inevitable to prevent chaos, a democratic framework is essential so that citizens can retain control over their rulers and protect their freedoms from state overreach.

Sources: Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI, THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION, p.223; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Union Territories, p.409; Political Theory, Class XI, Freedom, p.21

2. Liberalism and the 'Necessary' State (basic)

To understand Liberalism, we must start with its root: the Latin word liber, meaning free. At its heart, Liberalism is a political philosophy that places the individual at the center of the universe. Unlike theories that prioritize the community, the religion, or the nation-state, Liberals believe that the primary goal of any political system is to protect and expand the freedom of the individual India and the Contemporary World – II, The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, p.9. Historically, this meant fighting against the absolute power of kings and the interference of the Church, advocating instead for government by consent and the rule of law.

One of the most unique aspects of Liberalism is its view of the State as 'necessary.' While some ideologies (like Anarchism or Marxism) might dream of a world without a state, Liberals argue that a state is essential to act as a neutral arbiter or a judge. Without a state to enforce contracts and protect private property, society would descend into a 'law of the jungle' where the strong dominate the weak. However, because Liberals are naturally suspicious of political authority, they insist that the state must be limited. It should only interfere in our lives when our actions harm others, leaving personal decisions — such as whom to marry or what to believe — entirely to the individual Political Theory, Freedom, p.23.

Over time, the Liberal view of the state's responsibilities has evolved. We can broadly categorize this evolution into two phases:

Feature	Classical Liberalism (18th-19th Century)	Modern Liberalism (20th Century onwards)
Role of State	Minimal State: Focused on law and order and protecting property.	Welfare State: Intervenes to provide social security and health.
Economy	Laissez-faire: A completely free market with no government interference Indian Economy, Fundamentals of Macro Economy, p.2.	Regulated Market: Accepts state measures to reduce extreme inequality Political Theory, Equality, p.43.
Core Value	Negative Liberty (Freedom from interference).	Positive Liberty (State creates conditions for self-development).

Modern liberals recognize that formal equality (everyone following the same rules) isn't enough if some people start the race of life with massive disadvantages. Therefore, they support state-led initiatives like public education and healthcare to ensure equal opportunities for all, while still maintaining that competition is the most efficient way to distribute rewards in a society Political Theory, Equality, p.43.

Sources: India and the Contemporary World – II, The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, p.9; Political Theory, Freedom, p.23; Indian Economy, Fundamentals of Macro Economy, p.2; Political Theory, Equality, p.43

3. Democratic Socialism and the Welfare State (intermediate)

Democratic Socialism is a political ideology that seeks to achieve social justice and economic equality through evolutionary and democratic means, rather than through the violent revolution advocated by classical Marxism. Unlike the earliest 'Utopian Socialists' who proposed idealistic, isolated cooperative communities History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.178, Democratic Socialists believe in using the existing machinery of the State to regulate the economy and provide social security. While Marxist theory suggests that the state is an instrument of class oppression that will eventually 'wither away' in a classless society Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 3: Equality, p. 43, Democratic Socialism views the State as a permanent and necessary Welfare State—a protector that ensures a 'level playing field' for all citizens.

In the Indian context, this ideology took the form of Fabian Socialism, named after the Fabian Society in Britain (led by figures like Sydney and Beatrice Webb). This approach emphasizes gradualism and reform within the constitutional framework. As noted by legal experts, the Indian Constitution's Directive Principles of State Policy embody this 'Fabianism without the socialism,' meaning they aim for socialistic goals like equitable distribution of wealth without necessarily mandating the total nationalization of all means of production Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Directive Principles of State Policy, p.112. This created a middle path—a 'Socialistic pattern of society'—which sought to balance individual liberty with social control to eliminate the 'vices of unbridled private enterprise' Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), Directive Principles of State Policy, p.177.

Feature	Revolutionary Socialism (Marxism)	Democratic Socialism (Welfare State)
Method	Revolution/Overthrow of the State	Parliamentary reforms and elections
Role of State	State must eventually 'wither away'	State is a tool for social welfare
Economy	Abolition of private property	Mixed economy (Public + Private)

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.178; Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 3: Equality, p.43; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Directive Principles of State Policy, p.112; Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), Directive Principles of State Policy, p.177

4. Fascism: The State as an Absolute End (intermediate)

To understand Fascism, we must first look at how it views the State. In most democratic theories, the state is a tool or a 'necessary evil' meant to serve the individual. However, in Fascist ideology, this relationship is flipped: the State is the absolute end, and the individual is merely a means to that end. This philosophy is often summed up by Benito Mussolini’s famous maxim: "Everything in the State, nothing outside the State, nothing against the State." Unlike liberal democracies that prioritize individual rights, Fascism views the State as an organic, living entity that embodies the national spirit and collective will History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Imperialism and its Onslaught, p.212.

This "statism" led to a total rejection of parliamentary government, which Fascists saw as weak and divisive. In a Fascist system, the state demands totalitarian control over all aspects of life—political, economic, and social. For instance, in 1938, Italy abolished its Parliament, replacing it with bodies representing the Fascist Party and various economic 'corporations' History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Imperialism and its Onslaught, p.212. This Corporate State model was designed to end class conflict not by eliminating classes (as Marxists suggest), but by forcing both workers and owners to serve the national interest under the strict supervision of the state administration.

It is helpful to compare Fascism with other major ideologies to see just how radical this "State as an Absolute" idea is:

Ideology	View of the State	Ultimate Goal
Fascism	The Absolute End; an eternal, organic entity.	National strength, discipline, and expansion.
Marxism	An instrument of class oppression.	The "withering away" of the state into a classless society.
Liberalism	A neutral arbiter or referee.	Protection of individual rights and liberties.

While some Indian nationalists like Subhas Chandra Bose admired the discipline and efficiency of the Fascist model for nation-building, leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru deeply distrusted it because it destroyed democratic institutions and human dignity Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II, p.435. For a Fascist, strength, authority, and the glorification of the state are the only metrics of success, often leading to the free use of violence to suppress any perceived "disorder" or opposition History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Imperialism and its Onslaught, p.212.

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Imperialism and its Onslaught, p.212; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II, p.435

5. Anarchism and Philosophical Statelessness (intermediate)

When we discuss democratic theory, we usually focus on how the state should be governed. However, Anarchism challenges the very existence of the state itself. At its core, Anarchism is the belief in the abolition of the state and the reorganization of society on a voluntary, cooperative basis without recourse to force or compulsion History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.180. Anarchists argue that the state is inherently oppressive and that human beings are capable of managing their affairs through mutual aid and small-scale, autonomous communities.

One of the most influential early thinkers in this tradition was Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. He was disillusioned with the way political revolutions often just replaced one set of rulers with another. Instead of a centralized nation-state, he advocated for a federation of autonomous communes History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.180. This reflects a shift from "top-down" authority to "bottom-up" voluntary association. In the Indian context, Mahatma Gandhi is often described as a "philosophical anarchist." Gandhi believed in a society of enlightened anarchy where every person is their own ruler, leading to a decentralized political structure centered on the village (Gram Swaraj) rather than a powerful central government THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT, p.315.

It is crucial to distinguish between the Anarchist view of the state and the Marxist view. While both envision a stateless society as the ultimate goal, their methods differ significantly:

Feature	Anarchism	Marxism
The State	Seen as an absolute evil that must be abolished immediately.	Seen as a tool of class oppression that eventually withers away.
Transition	No transitional state; direct move to voluntary communes.	A transitional "dictatorship of the proletariat" is required to dismantle capitalism Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p.43.
Authority	Rejection of all hierarchical authority.	Temporary use of state power to achieve a classless society.

While mainstream political theories like Liberalism or Democratic Socialism view the state as a necessary entity for regulating markets or providing social welfare, the anarchist tradition reminds us to constantly question the legitimacy of state power and its impact on individual liberty Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Security in the Contemporary World, p.64.

Sources: History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.180; Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p.43; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT, p.315; Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Security in the Contemporary World, p.64

6. Marxism: Historical Materialism and Class Struggle (exam-level)

To understand Marxism, we must start with the Materialist Conception of History. Karl Marx argued that the motor of human history isn't ideas or religion, but the material conditions of life—specifically, how we produce what we need to survive. He divided society into two parts: the 'Base' (the economy, tools, and labor) and the 'Superstructure' (politics, law, culture, and religion). Marx famously posited that the Base determines the Superstructure. Therefore, whoever controls the economic resources—like land, oil, or factories—inevitably controls the laws and the state Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p. 43.

This economic control leads directly to Class Struggle. In an industrial society, Marx identified two primary classes: the Bourgeoisie (capitalists who own the means of production) and the Proletariat (workers who own nothing but their labor). Marx observed that while workers produce the actual value through their labor, the profit is accumulated by private capitalists India and the Contemporary World - I, History-Class IX (NCERT 2025 ed.), Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p. 28. This creates a relationship of exploitation where the state acts not as a neutral referee, but as an instrument of class oppression used by the wealthy to protect their property and influence policy Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p. 41.

Marx believed this conflict would eventually lead to a revolution. The workers would overthrow capitalism to establish a socialist society where property is socially controlled. During a transitional phase known as the 'dictatorship of the proletariat,' the working class would use the state power to dismantle class distinctions. Once a truly classless society is achieved, the need for a state (which exists only to suppress one class for the benefit of another) vanishes. At this point, the state is said to 'wither away,' resulting in a stateless, communist society where resources are distributed based on the principle: 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.'

Feature	Liberal View of State	Marxist View of State
Nature	A neutral arbiter or social welfare provider.	An instrument of class rule and oppression.
Goal	To protect individual rights and regulate markets.	To maintain the dominance of the property-owning class.
Future	The state is permanent and necessary.	The state will eventually "wither away."

Sources: Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Equality, p.41, 43; India and the Contemporary World - I, History-Class IX (NCERT 2025 ed.), Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.28

7. The Transitional Phase: Dictatorship of the Proletariat (exam-level)

In Marxist theory, the state is never a neutral or impartial institution; rather, it is viewed as an instrument of class oppression. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels argued that in a capitalist society, the state exists solely to protect the interests of the bourgeoisie (the property-owning class) and to keep the proletariat (the working class) in check History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.180. To move toward a classless society, Marxists propose a critical transitional phase known as the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.

During this phase, the working class seizes political power through a revolution—as seen in the 1917 Russian Revolution India and the Contemporary World - I, IX, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.30. This stage is "dictatorial" only in the sense that the proletariat uses the state's power to forcibly dismantle capitalist structures, abolish private property, and suppress any counter-revolutionary attempts by the former ruling class. Unlike the "authoritarian socialist systems" seen during the Cold War, the theoretical goal of this phase was not to create a permanent, all-powerful state, but to facilitate the transition from capitalism to communism Contemporary World Politics, XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), The End of Bipolarity, p.8.

The most unique aspect of this theory is the concept of the "withering away of the state." Marxists believe that since the state is merely a tool for class conflict, once class distinctions are eliminated and a classless society is established, the state loses its purpose. It becomes redundant and gradually fades away, leading to a stateless, communist society where people govern themselves collectively. This stands in sharp contrast to other ideologies:

Ideology	View of the State
Marxism	A temporary tool for class rule that will eventually wither away.
Fascism	An absolute, organic, and permanent entity that is supreme over the individual.
Liberal Capitalism	A necessary permanent entity for protecting property, contracts, and individual rights.

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.180; India and the Contemporary World - I, IX, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.30; Contemporary World Politics, XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), The End of Bipolarity, p.8

8. The Concept of 'Withering Away of the State' (exam-level)

To understand the concept of the 'withering away of the state,' we must first understand how Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels viewed the state itself. Unlike liberal theorists who see the state as a neutral referee or a provider of social welfare, Marxists argue that the state is an instrument of class rule. Specifically, in a capitalist society, the state apparatus (the law, police, and military) exists to protect the interests of the bourgeoisie (the owners of capital) and to suppress the proletariat (the working class) India and the Contemporary World - I, Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.28.

Marxism proposes a scientific progression of history. When the workers eventually rise up to overthrow capitalism, they establish a transitional phase known as the 'dictatorship of the proletariat.' During this stage, the workers use the state power to dismantle private property and ensure that resources are socially controlled History Class XII (TNSB), Europe in Turmoil, p.180. However, this is not the final destination. As society transitions into a classless, communist society, the very reason for the state's existence—the suppression of one class by another—disappears. Because there are no more class conflicts to manage, the state loses its function and gradually 'withers away' rather than being abolished overnight.

It is helpful to compare this Marxist vision with other political ideologies to see how radical this 'withering away' concept truly is:

Ideology	View of the State
Marxism	A temporary tool of class oppression that will eventually wither away in a classless society.
Fascism	An absolute, all-encompassing entity; 'Everything within the state, nothing outside the state.'
Anarchism	The state is inherently evil and should be abolished immediately, not allowed to wither.
Liberalism	A necessary entity for protecting rights, maintaining order, and regulating the market.

Sources: India and the Contemporary World - I. History-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, p.28; History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Europe in Turmoil, p.180

9. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the fundamental building blocks of political ideologies, this question allows you to apply the teleological view of the State. In your learning path, you explored how different theories perceive the State’s purpose. While most see the State as a permanent fixture, Marxism uniquely treats it as a historical byproduct of class struggle. According to Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT), the state is an instrument of exploitation used by the dominant class. Therefore, the logic follows that if you eliminate class divisions, you eliminate the need for the State itself.

To arrive at the correct answer, (C) Marxism, walk through the Marxist progression: the proletariat seizes power (the dictatorship of the proletariat) to dismantle the capitalist structure. Once private property is abolished and a classless society is established, the State loses its primary function as an agent of suppression. It becomes redundant and, as Engels famously put it, it withers away. This transition from a political government over people to the simple "administration of things" is the hallmark of the final stage of Communism.

UPSC often uses Democratic Socialism as a distractor because it shares a focus on equality; however, it views the State as a vital tool for welfare and social justice rather than an entity to be discarded. Fascism represents the opposite extreme, where the State is totalitarian and supreme ("everything within the State"). Finally, while Capitalism may advocate for a "minimal state," it still fundamentally requires a legal and coercive apparatus to protect private property rights and enforce contracts, making the idea of withering away incompatible with its core logic.