Final answer:
The distinguishing attribute of states from earlier societies is the presence of imposing public buildings and monumental architecture, reflecting complex social organization and centralized governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The attribute that distinguishes states from earlier forms of society is imposing public buildings and monumental architecture (option c). States emerged with the rise of agricultural societies and became distinctly different from the acephalous societies of hunter-gatherers or small communities. States are characterized by their ability to exercise centralized power, impose law and order, collect taxes, and use these resources to construct public works and infrastructure. Chiefdoms and tribal societies might have had forms of leadership and some hierarchical structures, but the defining attribute of a state is the presence of centralized institutions and infrastructure indicating complex social organization, formal governance, and social stratification.
Another distinguishing factor is the bureaucratic apparatus that facilitates governance, law enforcement, and social control, which included structured military forces for defense and expansion. Additionally, states typically have a written system of laws and can execute large-scale projects such as the construction of cities, temples, and monuments.