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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Delaware State - Twitter Search

Search for missing woman continues along Delaware: NARROWSBURG State Police continued their search for a Staten Islan... http://bit.ly/33rcI
topix_nyc (topix_nyc) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:05:35 -0000
Search for missing woman continues along Delaware: NARROWSBURG State Police continued their search for a Staten Islan... http://bit.ly/33rcI
Just crossed the Delaware state line ... #fb
SharCarm (Sharon Carmichael) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:44:05 -0000
Just crossed the Delaware state line ... #fb
Privately Owned RV Parks In Delaware | The Skateboarding Blog: There are three counties in this state. They are.. http://bit.ly/sKAPI
RVTips (RV Man) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:55:35 -0000
Privately Owned RV Parks In Delaware | The Skateboarding Blog: There are three counties in this state. They are.. http://bit.ly/sKAPI
Just gettin to Delaware, a state not even worth mentioning by the way.
JQLXG (JQ) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:14:45 -0000
Just gettin to Delaware, a state not even worth mentioning by the way.
Back on the Radio Saturday 5-10am - with lots of State Volleyball shout outs! All 4 Delaware County teams GOOD LUCK!
SteveWLBC (Steve Lindell) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:24:19 -0000
Back on the Radio Saturday 5-10am - with lots of State Volleyball shout outs! All 4 Delaware County teams GOOD LUCK!
Delaware to appeal Bonistall murder case to U.S. Supreme Court: WILMINGTON, Del. - State prosecutors will ask t.. http://bit.ly/41ZoG9
LoHud (LoHud) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:50:56 -0000
Delaware to appeal Bonistall murder case to U.S. Supreme Court: WILMINGTON, Del. - State prosecutors will ask t.. http://bit.ly/41ZoG9

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