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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MsStateDawgWire: Arkansas Mississippi State's football game on 21 Nov by SEC network! http://bit.ly/75VYRj
SECSportsWire (SECSportsWire) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:06:34 -0000
MsStateDawgWire: Arkansas Mississippi State's football game on 21 Nov by SEC network! http://bit.ly/75VYRj
Amazon.com: The State Of The Art by Iain M. Banks / http://bit.ly/7qYp9D
ieatbooks (I Eat Books) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:06:33 -0000
Amazon.com: The State Of The Art by Iain M. Banks / http://bit.ly/7qYp9D
Trinity women's ice hockey increases their lead to 4-1 on a goal by Jill Roloff, her second of the game, Cortland State answers, 4-2 Trin.
BantamSports (Bantam Sports) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:06:28 -0000
Trinity women's ice hockey increases their lead to 4-1 on a goal by Jill Roloff, her second of the game, Cortland State answers, 4-2 Trin.
TOUCHDOWN NC State!!!!! Now we are only down by 3!
Bucknakbabe (Bucknakbabe) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:06:02 -0000
TOUCHDOWN NC State!!!!! Now we are only down by 3!
Arkansas Mississippi State's football game on 21 Nov by SEC network! http://bit.ly/7zoqE8
MsStateDawgWire (MIssissippi State) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:05:19 -0000
Arkansas Mississippi State's football game on 21 Nov by SEC network! http://bit.ly/7zoqE8
I always feel so special when Binghamton is mentioned by politicians. Even when they're from my state. It's sad.
hoopiest_frood (Johnno) Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:04:32 -0000
I always feel so special when Binghamton is mentioned by politicians. Even when they're from my state. It's sad.

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