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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Montana State - Twitter Search

I really love Montana. It's my favorite state. - http://bim.im/52
gdM_comments (gdM_comments) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:57:35 -0000
I really love Montana. It's my favorite state. - http://bim.im/52
#florida #politics - Montana Now 20th State to Defend Health Care Choice http://bit.ly/3RAtmS
politicspulse (Political Pulse) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:56:07 -0000
#florida #politics - Montana Now 20th State to Defend Health Care Choice http://bit.ly/3RAtmS
Cattle: Steer & Heifer Prices By State: Steer and heifer prices drop 1.50 in October.  Montana has .. http://bit.ly/30p7p9
agritweets (Agri Tweets) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:55 -0000
Cattle: Steer & Heifer Prices By State: Steer and heifer prices drop 1.50 in October.  Montana has .. http://bit.ly/30p7p9
Montana Now 20th State to Defend Health C... ( WASHINGTON Nov. 5 ... http://bit.ly/2haFge
my2greenthumbs (Mike Long) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:18:49 -0000
Montana Now 20th State to Defend Health C... ( WASHINGTON Nov. 5 ... http://bit.ly/2haFge
Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Montana http://bit.ly/3hNFtG
FederalRegs (Federal Register) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:14:22 -0000
Brucellosis in Cattle; State and Area Classifications; Montana http://bit.ly/3hNFtG
"Reuters" - Montana Now 20th State to Defend Health Care Choice http://bit.ly/4sgfOJ
tasteofaz (Netty Wisbaum) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:13:44 -0000
"Reuters" - Montana Now 20th State to Defend Health Care Choice http://bit.ly/4sgfOJ

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