The evolutionary or historical theory is considered the most valid explanation for the state's origin. It posits that the state is not the result of a single event or divine decree, but the product of a long, gradual process of social development. Factors such as kinship, religion, economic necessity, and political consciousness evolved over centuries to transform primitive societies into organized political states.

The historical or evolutionary theory posits that the state is not a deliberate invention or a divine creation, but the result of a long, slow process of social development. It suggests that factors such as kinship, religion, war, and economic necessity gradually coalesced over centuries to transform primitive social structures into the complex, organized political institutions we recognize as the modern state today.

Classical individualists, particularly those influenced by liberal thought, argued that while the state is required to protect life, liberty, and property, it inherently restricts individual freedom. Therefore, they viewed the state as a 'necessary evil'—an entity that must exist to prevent anarchy but whose power should be strictly limited to avoid infringing upon the natural rights of the individual.

The evolutionary theory is widely regarded by contemporary scholars as the most plausible explanation for the state's origin. It posits that the state is not the result of a single event or divine intervention, but rather the product of a long, gradual process involving kinship, religion, war, and economic development over centuries.

Idealist theory, which posits that the state is an end in itself and possesses a moral personality superior to individuals, has largely been superseded in modern political discourse by welfare and democratic theories. While historically influential, the rigid application of Idealist state functions is generally viewed as discharged in contemporary governance models.

Garner rejected simplistic explanations for the state's origin, such as divine right or pure force. Instead, he argued that the state is a product of long-term historical development. It is an organic entity that evolves through gradual social, economic, and political processes over time, rather than being the result of a single, isolated event or divine decree.

The Divine Origin Theory, or Divine Right of Kings, was primarily designed to establish the absolute authority of the monarch. By claiming that the king's power was a direct grant from God, the theory effectively removed the monarch from the reach of human laws or parliamentary checks. This created a system where the ruler's will was synonymous with divine will, thereby justifying centralized, unchecked power and discouraging any form of political opposition or democratic participation.

The Evolutionary Theory, also known as the Historical Theory, suggests that the state is not a deliberate invention or a divine creation, but rather the result of a long, slow, and continuous process of social evolution. It emphasizes factors like kinship, religion, war, and political consciousness that gradually shaped the state over centuries, distinguishing it from theories that view the state as a sudden contract or divine mandate.

The organic theory views the state as a living organism, contrasting sharply with the social contract theory, which posits that the state is a deliberate, artificial creation resulting from a rational agreement among individuals. By emphasizing the state's natural, evolutionary growth, the organic perspective undermines the mechanistic and voluntaristic foundations of social contract theory.

The Patriarchal theory, famously associated with Sir Henry Maine, posits that the state originated from the expansion of the family unit. In this model, the family was governed by the eldest male member, whose authority served as the foundational prototype for political leadership and state governance as families grew into tribes and eventually nations.