critically evaluate the divine origin theory in 500 words
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Answer:
The theory of Divine Origin, though one of the earliest, has a simple explanation to offer. It is a theory of political authority and not a theory of the origin of the State.
The State, its advocates maintain, was created by God and governed by His deputy or Vice-regent. It was His will that men should live in the world in a state of political society and He sent His deputy to rule over them.
The ruler was a divinely appointed agent and he was responsible for his actions to God alone. As the ruler was the deputy of God, obedience to him was held to be a religious duty and resistance a sin. The advocates of the Divine Origin Theory, in this way, placed the ruler above the people as well as law.
Nothing on earth could limit his will and restrict his power. His word was law and his actions were always just and benevolent. To complain against the authority of the ruler and to characterise his actions as unjust was a sin for which there was divine punishment.
The theory of the Divine Origin of the State is as old as Political Science itself. There is sufficient evidence to prove now that early States were based on this conception and all political authority was connected with certain unseen powers. The earliest ruler was a combination of priest and king or the magic man and king.