A state is a political entity that exercises sovereignty and governance over a defined territory and population. It has the authority to create and enforce laws, maintain order, and control the legitimate use of force within its borders. The state typically consists of institutions such as the government, bureaucracy, and legal system, which together regulate society and manage public affairs
. Key characteristics of a state include:
- Territory: A clearly defined geographical area with recognized borders.
- Sovereignty: The ultimate authority within its territory, free from external control.
- Government: The organization that administers and enforces laws and policies.
- Monopoly on legitimate use of force: The exclusive right to use or authorize physical coercion to maintain order, as emphasized by sociologist Max Weber
- Recognition: Often recognized by other states in the international community, which affirms its sovereignty
It is important to distinguish a state from related concepts:
- A nation is a group of people who share a common cultural, historical, or ethnic identity but may not have sovereign control over a territory.
- A nation-state is an ideal where a single nation is governed by its own sovereign state, though this is rarely fully realized
- A government is the administrative apparatus that acts on behalf of the state but is not the state itself
In federal systems like the United States, the term "state" can also refer to constituent political entities with their own governments, which share sovereignty with the federal government
. In summary, a state is a sovereign political organization that governs a defined territory and population through a system of laws and institutions, maintaining order and exercising authority both internally and in relation to other states
