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.

More on [ State ]

L.A. Times - Baseball News

Red Sox send Angels home again
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Boston wins, 3-2, scoring winning run with two out in ninth inning. Angels eliminated in division series by Red Sox for the third time in five seasons. BOSTON -- Manager Mike Scioscia broke out his little-ball attack at the worst possible time Monday night, and the Angels, almost predictably, came up little.
Dodgers, Phillies back at it after 25 years
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
It was the era of the Dodgers' Tommy John, Dusty Baker, Steve Garvey and Bill Russell against such Phillies stars as Steve Carlton, Greg Luzinski, Gary Matthews and Mike Schmidt. The playoff series between the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies for the National League pennant comes 25 years after the teams last met in postseason play.
Angels have some important off-season decisions to make
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Does Mark Teixeira even want to come back? What about Francisco Rodriguez? BOSTON -- The Angels had walked off the field for the final time this season. All but one of them.

ESPN.com - MLB

Nelson: Lester at ease pitching in big games
Amy K. Nelson Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:24:43 -0700
Big games don't seem to bother Jon Lester, who heads to the mound Monday as the Red Sox try once more to close out the Angels in their best-of-five ALDS, writes Amy K. Nelson.
Not done? Schilling ponders half-season comeback
Associated Press Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:07:04 -0700
Curt Schilling is considering coming back next year -- for half the season.
Brewers' Weeks has surgery to fix cartilage tear
Associated Press Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:11:21 -0700
Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks had surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.

SI.com - MLB

Wasted chances bring end to Angels' season
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:21:44 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
BoSox uncertain about Masterson's future role
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:20:57 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Lowell out of Red Sox's lineup with hip injury
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:19:33 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

Major League Baseball News

Lowrie sends Red Sox back to ALCS
Ian Browne Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:08:00 -0400
Lowrie sends Red Sox back to ALCS
Rays clinch, punch ticket to ALCS
Bill Chastain Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:32:00 -0400
Rays clinch, punch ticket to ALCS
Varitek's tag squeezes Angels in ninth
T.R. Sullivan Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:15:00 -0400
Varitek's tag squeezes Angels in ninth
Oh, what a ninth! Sox-Halos a classic
Mychael Urban Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:29:00 -0400
Oh, what a ninth! Sox-Halos a classic
Playoff connections run deep | Traces
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:49:11 -0400

VOTE NOW: Aaron | DHL | Clutch
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:11:20 -0400


Subscribe to Baseball RSS feed