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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NEW TOPIC: "The 7 Deadly Sins...by state." by vp @ http://trim.su/1o27
CBRjunkie (CBRjunkie) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:06:30 -0000
NEW TOPIC: "The 7 Deadly Sins...by state." by vp @ http://trim.su/1o27
Draft Committee Wants Former State Sen. Dial to Run for SD-13 seat now held by Sen. Kim Benefield http://bit.ly/bViky #alpolitics
TWAY_Kris (Kris) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:06:26 -0000
Draft Committee Wants Former State Sen. Dial to Run for SD-13 seat now held by Sen. Kim Benefield http://bit.ly/bViky #alpolitics
by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite
satellitecity (Rick Phillips) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:03:37 -0000
by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite
Does this vary by state? RT @BDCAnswers How old do you have to be to be a restaurant waitress? http://ow.ly/tTtg
erikakerekes (Erika Penzer Kerekes) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:01:35 -0000
Does this vary by state? RT @BDCAnswers How old do you have to be to be a restaurant waitress? http://ow.ly/tTtg
California: STATE REVENUES FALLING: By JENNIFER STEINHAUER | New York Times | National Briefing | West October .. http://bit.ly/1A86T1
4LAKids (Scott Folsom) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:01:27 -0000
California: STATE REVENUES FALLING: By JENNIFER STEINHAUER | New York Times | National Briefing | West October .. http://bit.ly/1A86T1
#MM state of you by joe budden off that escape route @mousebudden
KammyKam201 (Kammy Kam ) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:01:12 -0000
#MM state of you by joe budden off that escape route @mousebudden

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