A state is a set of institutions that possess the power to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. Following Max Weber's influential definition, a state has a 'monopoly on legitimate violence'. Hence the state includes such institutions as the armed forces, civil service or state bureaucracy, courts, and police. For theorists of international relations, recognition of the state's claim to independence by other states, enabling it to enter into international engagements, is key to the establishment of its sovereignty.

Although the term often refers broadly to all institutions of government or rule—ancient and modern—the modern state system bears a number of characteristics that were first consolidated in western Europe, beginning in earnest in the 15th century.

In the late 20th century, the globalization of the world economy, the mobility of people and capital, and the rise of many international institutions all combined to circumscribe the freedom of action of states. However, the state remains the basic political unit of the world, as it has been since the 16th century. The state is therefore considered the most central concept in the study of politics, and its definition is the subject of intense scholarly debate. Political sociologists in the tradition of both Karl Marx and Max Weber usually favor a broad definition that draws attention to the role of coercive apparatus.

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Soda and Your Bones, Friends or Foes?: By: Jolene, Penn State University, Guest Blogger and Rebecca Times have .. http://bit.ly/qx9G3
patsion (Pat Gallagher) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:01:29 -0000
Soda and Your Bones, Friends or Foes?: By: Jolene, Penn State University, Guest Blogger and Rebecca Times have .. http://bit.ly/qx9G3
Two men and one woman died drowned by heavy rains in the Mexican state of Tabasco.
equisyinfo (Gabriel Infante) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:59:40 -0000
Two men and one woman died drowned by heavy rains in the Mexican state of Tabasco.
Nevada State College hands out 200 scholarships: The money for the scholarships is being provided by donations,.. http://bit.ly/45OgGU
FafsaHelp (Juan Vasquez) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:59:33 -0000
Nevada State College hands out 200 scholarships: The money for the scholarships is being provided by donations,.. http://bit.ly/45OgGU
I used Shazam to discover Empire State Of Mind by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys #shazam
TotesMcGotes (Totes McGotes) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:58:41 -0000
I used Shazam to discover Empire State Of Mind by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys #shazam
Listened to Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Loving this song!
BufferflyBrie (Briana) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:57:55 -0000
Listened to Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Loving this song!
@ktmosescsent im not gonna give indy tht much credit... by far the shittiest state i ever been to BUT i couldnt feel my face all weekend!
JAdoreJasmin (JASMINE A. BROWN) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:57:10 -0000
@ktmosescsent im not gonna give indy tht much credit... by far the shittiest state i ever been to BUT i couldnt feel my face all weekend!

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