The functions of the State means the particular activities in which a State or government is actually engaged. They vary from country to country and from time to time according to the underlying philosophy or ideology of the State, the sphere of its activity, and the degree of its political, economic and social development.
Various authors have classified the functions of the State in different ways they may be classified as Essential and Optional functions.
Essential, normal or constituent functions are those which must be performed by every government in order to preserve its existence against internal and foreign dangers. They are the sine qua non of the State’s existence and security. They are of four kinds. Firstly, the defence of the State against external enemies, aggression and internal rebels. This is its military function, for which it maintains armed forces and defence system. Secondly, the maintenance of law and order in the country for safeguarding life .and property of its citizens. This is its police function, for which it maintains a police force, and security department law-courts, jails, etc. Thirdly, foreign relations with other States for such purposes as international intercourse, diplomacy, alliances, and intelligence, and sends diplomatic representatives to other States and itself receives theirs and participates in inter-State and international conferences and organisations Lastly, the State has to collect taxes and dues to finance the fulfilment of its essential and non-essential functions.
Optional or ministrant functions are those which a State may or may not perform without danger to its existence and security, but are natural to the higher ends and purposes for which the State exists. They are meant to promote the intellectual, moral, social, economic and cultural well-being and welfare of the people. Their performance is necessary if the State is a welfare State and not a police State. The individualist and laissez faire theory of the nineteenth century condemned the performance of these functions, but they are now indispensable for the present-day welfare or service State. Indeed, the State can achieve its supreme ends of protection, conservation and development only when it performs these necessary functions. Not only these functions are numerous but these are constantly increasing in numbers and importance. It is, indeed, difficult to enumerate them. We give here a bare enumeration of some of them:
Regulation of trade, industry and agriculture. This implies such things as control of currency, fixing of weights and measures, issuing trade licences, factory legislation, control of imports and exports, trade policy, etc.
Regulation of Labour conditions: the State performs the functions by fixing working hours, settling labour-capital disputes, strikes and lock-outs, by dealing with such economic problems as unemployment, housing conditions of the working classes, relations of tenants and landlords, improving conditions of work on farms and factories, etc.
(Development of works of public utility, such as posts and telegraph, roads and railways, canals and bridges, water, electricity and gas supply, transport, parks and gardens, etc.
Education. Spread of education and knowledge from kindergarten to the university level has become one of the most important functions of the modem government. State opens schools colleges, universities, technical and professional colleges and institutions, looks after such educational needs as adult education, female education, public libraries, etc., and encourages fine arts, sciences, literature, etc., sets up zoos and museums, libraries, art galleries, physical culture centres, parks, etc.
Public Health, Sanitation and Medical Relief. The State seeks to protect public health by fighting diseases, epidemics, enforcing laws of health (e.g., against adulterated food), and sanitation and providing medical relief by opening hospitals, dispensaries, vaccipation centres, etc.
Social Security. In the past, private charity and family care looked after the aged, the sick, the needy and the poor or distressed. But now many advanced States have assumed responsibility for them. They provide security for them by undertaking various plans and schemes of social care and insurance, e.g., old age pensions, unemployment insurance, old people houses etc.
Moral and Social Reforms. Modem State endeavours to enhance the moral tone of the society by undertaking various moral and social reforms, such as regulating family life, marriage, divorce, giving property rights to women, prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks and drugs, etc.