Principles of Government Chapter 1, section 1

State A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without the approval from any higher authority.

Essential features of a state Population Territory Sovereignty Government

Sovereignty The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries

Nation A group of people who share the same race, language, customs, traditions, and/or sometimes religion.

Nation-state A country in which the territory of both the nation and the state coincide.

Consensus An agreement about basic beliefs or a general agreement

Government The institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens.

The government serves several major purposes for the state It maintains social order by making laws and punishing individuals who break those laws. It provides essential public services that promote the general welfare of the people. It handles relations with other nations and protects citizens from attack. It makes decisions that influence the nation’s economy.

Social contract The theory that people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order, and the state, in turn, agrees to protect its citizens.