Final answer:
A state must meet four legal conditions: it must have a population, recognized boundaries, sovereignty, and an organized government with the authority to create and enforce laws. Sovereignty and government legitimacy are vital, with the U.S. Constitution emphasizing a republican form of government and interstate cooperation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conditions Defining a State:
The concept of a state revolves around four fundamental legal conditions that qualify its existence. Firstly, a state must have a population; this refers to the group of people residing within the state regardless of its size. Secondly, recognized boundaries must be present, which delineate the physical limits of the state's territory. Thirdly, the state needs sovereignty, meaning it has the authority to govern itself and determine both its foreign and domestic policies without external interference. Lastly, an organized government is essential, which holds the legitimate power to create laws, make decisions, and execute policies on behalf of its citizens.
Sovereignty for instance is compromised if a region like the State of Texas has to abide by another entity's laws such as those of the United States. A government must also be seen as legitimate by its people, a concept known as legitimacy, which demands that most people within the state accept the government's authority. Finally Article IV of the U.S. Constitution outlines interstate relations and the requirement for federal protection, reinforcing the need for states to operate under a republican form of government and acknowledge each other's laws and judicial decisions.