STATE AND POWER: A STRUGGLE FOR LEGITIMACY AND CONTROL
STATE AND POWER: A STRUGGLE FOR LEGITIMACY AND CONTROL
The state and power are two fundamental concepts we frequently hear in daily life but often do not fully consider what they truly mean. Looking at human history, from the moment people began living in communities, they felt a need for order. The structures that provided this order evolved over time, grew, and became institutionalized; eventually giving rise to the political entity we now call the “state.” At first glance, the state is defined by elements like a piece of land, a flag, a government, and an army. But in reality, the state is a structure that defines, enforces, and protects the rules of communal life, and over time, it has gained the legitimate monopoly of violence for this role.
Power, on the other hand, is the force that governs this state mechanism. Those who determine how and by whom the people will be governed, who make the rules, enforce the laws, and use the authority to punish when necessary, are called the holders of power. Today, those sitting in government seats in any country are seen as wielding power. However, power is not just about being elected or holding an office. This power also needs to be accepted, recognized, and seen as legitimate. Therefore, power must have both the force and the approval for its use.
Why do people need the state? Because the state is the guarantee of order and security. Knowing that nothing bad will happen while walking down the street, thinking that we can go to a hospital when we are sick, sending our children to school safely, or being confident that our rights will be protected in professional life… All of these are related to the need for the state. Where the state is absent or dysfunctional, insecurity, chaos, and injustice prevail. That is why throughout history, people have agreed to submit to an authority—the state. But there is an important balance here: the state must use the power it holds on behalf of society to ensure security. When this power is abused or used for personal interests, the state ceases to be a guarantee for the people.
How those in power use this authority determines the nature of the state. If the rulers in a country value the public’s opinion, protect freedoms, respect the law, and act with a service-oriented mindset, then that country has a strong yet just state. On the contrary, the state turns into an oppressive, arbitrary, and fear-generating apparatus. In such an environment, power loses its legitimacy, and the bond between the state and the people begins to break. This can pave the way for social unrest, protests, and even uprisings over time.
For a state to function properly, its institutions must be independent. In other words, powers such as legislation, execution, and judiciary must be separated; none should be under the influence of the other. Because power, when unchecked, eventually becomes corrupt. That is why the principle of separation of powers is fundamental in democracies. If the judiciary is not independent, it cannot oversee the executive. If the press is not free, the public cannot learn the truth. If elections are not fair, the people cannot truly choose the government. In this case, power ends up in the hands of a certain group or interest circle instead of the people. That’s when the state ceases to be everyone’s state and turns into a tool that protects the interests of a particular group.
The power held by the state is not just physical. That is, it does not exist solely through the police, the army, or punishment. The state also asserts its power through the education system, its influence over the media, religion, and culture. By establishing systems that define what is right and wrong, it shapes people's thoughts. Therefore, those in power also seek to control the intellectual world of society. If you constantly hear the same news in a country, if similar ideas are repeated continuously, if dissenting voices are silenced, this is also a form of power exercise. Over time, this not only shapes people’s behavior but also their thinking.
The state must not become disconnected from its people. It should never forget where its power comes from. Because the state exists for the people—not in spite of them. The source of power is the will of the people. No matter how great a leader may be, if a person loses the support of the people, they can no longer maintain their power. This principle has always held true throughout history. Winning an election provides legitimacy, but it is not enough. Continuity requires a fair, transparent, and accountable approach to governance. Otherwise, the public first loses trust, and then patience.
One of the greatest threats to the existence of the state is the emergence of covert structures from within. Sometimes, certain elements within the state may act outside the constitution and the law to serve different interest groups. This is known as the “deep state” or “a state within the state.” Such structures eventually operate outside the rule of law, pursue their own agendas, undermine elected leaders, and create distrust in society. Therefore, the inner workings of the state must be just as transparent, accountable, and open to oversight as its external operations. Otherwise, the public’s faith in the state will be damaged.
The greatest strength of a society is its conscious citizens. When citizens question authority, know their rights, and demand accountability, those in power adjust their behavior accordingly. In environments where the public remains silent, avoids questioning, and fails to demand accountability, those in power act more freely. That is why public participation is essential in democracies. An active sense of citizenship is required—not only during elections but at all times. Monitoring the state is not just the duty of opposition parties; it is the responsibility of the entire society.
In conclusion, the state and power are two major forces that affect every aspect of our lives. If the state is the guarantee of collective life, then power is the force that manages this guarantee. A good government uses the state for the well-being and peace of the people. A bad government turns the state into a tool to preserve its own power. Therefore, it is not enough for the state to be strong; it must also be just, transparent, and accountable to the public. Because the state is the home of the people. Keeping this home strong—and preventing it from falling apart—depends on the conscious stance of the people.
The relationship between the state and power is one of the oldest and most complex networks in human history. The purpose of the state’s existence is to organize society, ensure justice, and provide security. However, when power, inherited to fulfill this purpose, moves away from the foundation of legitimacy, it can turn into a tool of oppression. Therefore, it is vitally important for power to be limited, held accountable, and open to public oversight—for the sake of both the state and society.
Today, it has become even clearer that power must derive not only from the ballot box, but also from the rule of law, freedoms, and public consent. Power that is not questioned or supervised corrupts the state; and a corrupted state undermines the people’s hope and sense of belonging. Therefore, a strong state is possible not only through a strong government, but also through a strong society. And the greatest strength of this society lies in its conscious citizens—those who know their rights and defend their freedoms.