The state is ...

The state is the central institution of the political system. His work reflects the basic concept of power. It should be noted that the term "state" is a definition that can be used in two meanings.

Approximately until the 17th century, this concept, as a rule, was treated broadly and was inseparable from society. Thus, in a broad sense, the state is a community of people living on the same territory, which is organized and represented by the supreme authority. It is identical to the people and the whole country. In this sense, for example, they speak of the Russian, German or American state, having in mind the company being represented.

Machiavelli left the tradition of the broad meaning of the word "state". To denote the supreme power, he introduced the term "stati".

States that existed in different historical epochs have few similar features. However, there are some signs that are, to one degree or another, characteristic of each of them.

The state is, first of all, such a system, within which there is a clear division between public authority and society, and a layer of professional leaders is formed. This feature is based on the difference between the structure and the tribal organization, which is based on the principles of self-government.

The state has a territory with outlined borders. Laws and powers of power are extended to the population of a particular territory. The state is a structure that is not formed on the basis of a religious or a blood (related) principle. The basis of the system is territorial and, as a rule, ethnic community of people.

The state is characterized by sovereignty (supreme power). In the conditions of any modern society there are many authorities: party, industrial, family and others. However, they can not issue norms and laws that are binding on all citizens, organizations and institutions. This state is endowed with such supreme power.

The Central Institute of the political system has a monopoly on the legal use of force. State coercion can both limit freedom and physically destroy a person. Thus, endowed with the opportunity to deprive citizens of freedom and life, supreme power acquires special efficacy. The enforcement functions are implemented through various means (prisons, weapons, etc.). There are also special enforcement agencies - the prosecutor's office, the court, the police and others.

The state is entitled to collect taxes from the population. These receipts are aimed at the maintenance of numerous employees (education, health care, state machinery, law enforcement agencies , etc.), as well as to ensure social, defense, economic policy.

Unlike other structures (for example, a party in which a person can or does not consist), in a state a person receives citizenship from the moment of birth, thus becoming an obligatory member.

An integral feature of the central institution of power is the availability of funds that ensure representation and protection of society, its interests and good.

The structure striving to create decent conditions for the existence of every citizen, ensuring its social security, complicity in management is characterized by the concept of a "social state". The definition of the activity of such a structure is carried out in accordance with the situation of the population. In other words, the tasks of the central institution in this case include smoothing property, social inequality, helping and supporting the underprivileged and weak, giving each citizen a job or other source of livelihood, creating conditions favorable to human life in general.