State, concept, signs, features
What is it?
broadest sense
more commonly understood
a mechanism
ordered rule
formal and institutional processes
at the national level
public order
collective action
2 central features
ability: make collective decisions
capacity: implement them
Characteristics
legal use of force, coercion
levy taxes
a territory
compulsory membership
sovereignty
protecting the common good
public power - separate from society, government officials
3 core functions
implement law
interpret law
make law