Final answer:
The state's distinctiveness lies in its extent of legitimate use of violence to manage its citizens' affairs, backed by democratic consent and federalism. The state's powers include licensing, elections, business regulation, along with symbols to reinforce its legitimacy and identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state is distinctive in the extensiveness of its legitimate use of violence to regulate the affairs of its citizens. State governments exercise this power to ensure public safety, maintain order, and regulate behaviors through the enforcement of laws. The legitimate use of violence by the state is meant to uphold legal decisions, control the distribution of goods and services, and manage citizens' daily lives. This is exemplified by state powers such as issuing licenses, conducting elections, and regulating businesses and professions within their boundaries. Furthermore, the state relies on symbols like national flags and anthems to cultivate a sense of national identity and reinforce its legitimacy.
In a democracy, legitimacy is derived from citizens' consent, and states operate within a framework of federalism, wherein the distribution of powers is determined by the Constitution, state laws, and judicial decisions such as those made by the U.S. Supreme Court. State actions, according to Dillon's Rule, have supremacy over local governments, which reflects the hierarchical nature of power distribution in the United States.