Final answer:
The key distinguishing feature of a state is its social stratification, which is the layered hierarchy within the society based on various attributes, leading to unequal resource distribution and opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the key distinguishing features of a state is its social stratification. Social stratification refers to the hierarchical organization of different groups within a society, which might be based on factors such as wealth, prestige, ethnicity, or gender. It reflects an unequal distribution of resources, where individuals or groups with more money, power, or prestige have more opportunities and higher social standing. States often emerge from chiefdoms as political power centralizes, and they tend to have more complex systems of social hierarchy and inequality than other types of societies, such as in the Inca Empire or the contemporary United States.
While charismatic leaders and gender differences in resource access may also be present within a state, these are not considered key distinguishing features that define statehood. Rather, the transition to state-level societies is marked by a greater degree of structure in socioeconomic stratification, often codified by laws and formal institutions.