Final answer:
State-level societies can collapse due to factors such as famine, invasion, disease, environmental degradation, and environmental change.
Step-by-step explanation:
State-level societies can collapse due to a combination of factors. One possible cause is unprecedented famine related to overpopulation. When a population exceeds the carrying capacity of their environment, there may not be enough resources to sustain everyone, leading to famine. Another factor is invasion and competition by neighboring groups. If a state is weak or vulnerable, it may be targeted by other groups seeking to acquire its resources or territory. Disease and malnutrition within the population can also contribute to a collapse. If a population is consistently suffering from illness and malnutrition, it can weaken the society's overall functioning. Additionally, environmental degradation through unsustainable practices such as deforestation, erosion, and soil exhaustion can have a long-term negative impact on a state's ability to sustain itself. Finally, dramatic environmental change such as a prolonged drought can severely disrupt food production and ultimately lead to societal collapse.