Final answer:
A state is a structured society with a government that has authority over a specific territory and population. It has several core elements and responsibilities, including the enactment of laws, distribution of services, and upholding a monopoly on the use of force. The state can also be part of a nation-state, which ties the institution to a national identity and cultural uniformity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of a state is multifaceted, covering political, social, and legal aspects of a country. Understanding a state involves recognizing it as a structured society holding the authority to control a specific territory and population. States are comprised of a governmental system, which ensures the enactment and enforcement of laws and policies within their geographical boundaries. Along with the government, territory, population, and sovereignty complete the core elements of a state.
A state has several responsibilities, such as legitimizing its authority, allocating goods and services, and maintaining a monopoly on the use of force through entities like the military and the police. The state's governance can vary, with forms including welfare states, which provide broad social benefits, or police states, where control is maintained through forceful measures. At the international level, states are recognized as sovereign entities and play significant roles in the global system.
The state can also be conceptualized as a nation-state, which couples the institution of state with a national identity, aiming for centralized rule, and often, cultural uniformity.