Political Science: Defining the State

A state's right to use force is limited to authorized purposes and is subject to the rule of law.

A state has clear geographic boundaries.

A state's freedom from external control in its own territory.

The citizens or people within a state's territory.

Everyone is accountable to publicly declared and equally enforced laws.

A state has a structured system of power and administration.

A method of state building where the ruler has absolute power.

States originate from the act of separating and becoming free from other countries.

States have a right to use violence, but it must be authorized and limited by law. Torture is a violation of this right, meaning states are not allowed to use it.

While states usually have full control within their defined territory, there can be exceptions. This is seen in cases like Cyprus, where the Turkish Cypriots created a self-declared state within its territory.

Distinct lines exist between what's considered a state's concern (public) and what individuals can freely decide (private). However, this line can blur, as seen with sexuality now being used for public scandal.

Another way to build a state is through strong, independent judges and institutions. It's how England created a powerful state against a monarch, with a strong judicial system.

States can be formed through unions of existing states. A Confederation is a loose union, states keep most of their power. A Federation has a central government with more power over the member states.

Another method of state building involves conquering or unifying existing regions into one state. This is how Germany and Italy became nation-states.

Building a strong state involves not just power, but also legitimacy. People must accept the state's authority as justified and valid.