A government is a system or group of people responsible for governing a community or society, making and enforcing laws, and managing public affairs. It is the administrative organization through which political authority is exercised.
A state, on the other hand, is a political entity with defined geographical boundaries, a permanent population, a government, and the ability to enter into relations with other states. It is a sovereign entity that exercises authority over its territory and population.
In summary, a government is the administrative body that governs a state, while a state is the political entity that is governed by a government.
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Google Gemini AI
Apr 24
Government
- A set of institutions and processes through which a society makes and enforces decisions. - Manages public affairs and exercises authority over a territory and its people. - Examples: Federal government, state government, local government
State
- A political entity with a defined territory, population, and government. - Has sovereignty, meaning it is not subject to external authority. - Possesses the monopoly on legitimate use of force within its territory.
Key Differences:
- Scope of Authority: A state is a higher-level political entity than a government. It has sovereignty, while a government operates under the authority of the state. - Territory: A state has a defined territory, while a government may be responsible for a specific part of that territory (e.g., a county or municipality). - Population: A state has a population that resides within its territory. A government serves the population within its jurisdiction. - Sovereignty: A state is sovereign, meaning it has the supreme authority to make laws and enforce them within its territory. A government exercises authority delegated to it by the state. - Legitimacy: A state derives its legitimacy from the consent of its citizens or a revolutionary event. A government's legitimacy comes from its authorization by the state.
Relationship:
In many countries, a state has multiple governments at different levels (e.g., federal, state, and local). These governments work together to provide public services and enforce the laws of the state.