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