The Divine Origin theory posits that the state was created by God and that rulers are divinely ordained. Historically, medieval Church leaders and theologians were the primary proponents of this theory, using it to justify the absolute authority of monarchs and the subordination of secular power to divine will, thereby reinforcing the legitimacy of the ruling order through religious doctrine.

The Evolutionary theory is often compared to Darwinian principles because it views the state as an organism that adapts to its environment. It suggests that political institutions survived and developed because they were the most effective at meeting the needs of the society, reflecting a process of natural selection in political organization.

The Evolutionary or Historical theory posits that the state is the result of gradual development rather than a single event. Kinship, defined as the belief in a common blood relationship, served as the earliest bond of social unity. This shared ancestry provided the foundation for tribal organization, which eventually evolved into more complex political structures and the modern state.

Critics, particularly those from the historical and utilitarian schools, argue that the 'state of nature'—a hypothetical condition used by theorists like Locke and Rousseau to justify natural rights—is a historical fiction. They contend that humans have always lived in social groups, making the concept of pre-social natural rights logically and historically untenable, thus undermining the foundation of the theory.

The Social Contract Theory, championed by thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, became the dominant framework for explaining state legitimacy during the Enlightenment. It posits that the state arises from a rational agreement among individuals to surrender certain natural freedoms in exchange for the protection of their rights and social order.

Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of the state and all forms of involuntary hierarchy. Anarchists generally view law as a tool of oppression used by the ruling class to control the masses and believe that true freedom can only exist in a stateless society where individuals cooperate voluntarily. They argue that any law, by definition, imposes a restriction that negates absolute individual autonomy.

Social contract theorists like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau argue that individuals transition from a 'state of nature'—a condition characterized by the absence of formal government and centralized authority—into a 'civil society' or 'political society.' This transition is facilitated by a mutual agreement to surrender certain natural liberties in exchange for the protection and order provided by a sovereign or government.

The organic view of the state, which likens the state to a living organism, dates back to ancient Greek thought, particularly the works of Plato and Aristotle. They viewed the state as a natural entity necessary for the fulfillment of human potential. While other theories like the Church-state view emerged in the medieval period and the Anarchist view in the modern era, the organic conception is historically the oldest among the listed options.

Social Contract theory, championed by thinkers like Locke and Rousseau, posits that political authority is derived from the consent of the governed. By shifting the source of legitimacy from divine right to popular agreement, it provided the intellectual foundation for modern democratic governance, emphasizing individual rights and the accountability of the state to its citizens.

The Evolutionary Theory, also known as the Historical Theory, posits that the state is not a deliberate invention or a product of a single event. Instead, it argues that the state is the result of a long, gradual process of social and political development, influenced by factors such as kinship, religion, war, and economic organization over centuries.