A state is a political entity that exercises sovereignty and governance over a defined geographic territory and its population. It is characterized by having:
- A permanent population living within a clearly defined territory or borders.
- A centralized government or institutions that create and enforce laws.
- Sovereignty, meaning it holds the ultimate authority to regulate affairs within its territory, including maintaining a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force (as defined by Max Weber).
- Recognition by other states in the international community, which affirms its legitimacy and ability to engage in diplomatic relations.
The state is distinct from a government, which is the organization or group of people authorized to act on behalf of the state, and from a nation, which is a group of people sharing cultural, historical, or ethnic identity but not necessarily political sovereignty or defined borders. States may be unitary or federal, and in federal systems, the term "state" can also refer to constituent political units that have some degree of autonomy but are not fully sovereign internationally. In summary, a state is the political organization that regulates society through laws and governance within a specific territory, maintaining order and sovereignty over its population
