State

{{politics}}
In most parts of the world, a '''state''' is an organization that has a monopoly on the "[[Law|legitimate means of coercion]]" within a defined boundary. These were considered the only important actors in [[International relations|international affairs]], but [[globalization]] has shaken up the field. Classic examples of states include [[Iran]], [[Finland]], and (for historical reasons) the [[United States]].  

If a state becomes too weak and loses legitimacy (or other actors gain legitimacy), it is often called a [[failed state]]. The most classic example of this is [[Yugoslavia]].

==State and nation==
A state should not be confused with a [[nation]]. A nation is a group of people bound by a common [[culture]], [[history]], [[religion]], [[language]], and/or ethnicity, bound by borders.  Many nations, such as the [[German]]s or the [[French]], have their own states. However, others do not, such as the [[Spain|Basque]] and the [[Kurdistan|Kurds]]. Moreover, it is possible to have a state without foundation in a single nation, as was the case with many [[Africa]]n states upon independence. One could also argue that [[Switzerland]], with its four languages and geographical location, could be considered a "multi-national state". Another example of a multi-national state would be the [[UK]] with its four nations of [[England]], [[Wales]], [[Scotland]], and [[Northern Ireland]] and the various cultures contained within them.

A state founded upon a single nationality is called a "[[nation-state]]".  Forming a nation-state became the primary means of legitimacy for states after 1918. Many of the most stable states still rely on this theory, homogenizing pesky national minorities when necessary.  

Within some federations, such as the [[United States]], the term "state" also refers to the co-sovereign constituent republics of the federation.<ref group=note>They are merely administrative divisions within the US, but when they have attempted to [[American Civil War|independently derive their own legitimacy]], they have been [[Fourteenth Amendment|properly bitchslapped]].</ref>  Examples of this usage include [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], the [[Massachusetts|Commonwealth of Massachusetts]], and [[New York]]. This, more than anything else, has led to confusion about the terms "nation" and "state" within the US.

==State and government==
In the United States, the terms ''state'' (as defined here) and ''government'' are used interchangeably. However, in parliamentary systems (''e.g.'', [[Canada]]), the [[government]] refers to the executive — what in the US is called the "administration." This also leads to confusion, as there is no terminological distinction between the state's apolitical machinery and the [[political]] leaders in the government or administration.

==Monopoly of force==
Having the monopoly of force, a State can do many things that, when done by normal people, are generally condemned as unjust, illegitimate, or immoral. For example:
* [[Death penalty|Murder]]<ref group=note>does not apply to all states.</ref> and [[war|mass murder]],<ref group=note>applies to all states.</ref> even of admitted innocent people.<ref>{{cite news|title=US admits it conducted Mosul air strike 'at location' where '200' civilians died|journal=Independent|date=March 2017|author=Rachael Revesz|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-air-strike-mosul-200-civilians-killed-isis-northern-iraq-pentagon-central-command-islamic-state-a7651451.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=US-led coalition admits killing at least 484 civilians in air strikes against Isis in Syria and Iraq|journal=Independent|date=June 2017|author=Lizzie Dearden |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-syria-iraq-air-strikes-civilians-killed-injured-casualties-children-mosul-offensive-latest-war-a7771146.html}}</ref>
* [[Prison|Detention]] and [[Guantanamo Bay|torture]].
* Several forms of [[taxation|theft]].
* Printing money or, in the digital era, [[Inflation|creating new money from thin air]].
However, before giving in to [[libertarianism|libertarian]] lamentations, it must be kept in mind that all those things are done for a [[Utilitarianism|''greater good'']], have been legitimated by the majority of people (who were allowed to vote) a long time ago, or [[Circular reasoning|are legitimated by the state itself]]. Therefore, one can not apply to the state the same judgment parameters that are applied to every other situation.

==See also==
*All of the [[:Category:United States states|US states]] we have articles on

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Government]]

Categories: Government