Public Administration N4 – The state

The state

As communities evolve and become more organized, they often develop shared interests and territories that necessitate the creation of an independent and sovereign entity, known as a state.

The state is defined as an organized society occupying a definite territory and possessing an authoritative government that is independent of external control.

Sovereignty is the essence of the state, which gives it the legal power to make and enforce whatever internal laws it sees fit and is subject only to voluntary agreements.

Sovereignty is comprised of three key attributes.

Firstly, it involves independence, meaning that a sovereign nation has exclusive authority over its area and is not subject to legal interference from other nations.

Secondly, equality is essential, as no nation is subordinate to another in exercising its authority within its territory, and each must abide by agreed international laws.

Lastly, unanimity underscores that any rule of international law must be unanimously accepted by the nations to which it applies, demonstrating sovereign immunity.

In essence, the state represents the highest level of societal organization, embodying sovereignty, independence, equality, and unanimity in its governance and interactions within the international community.

Public Administration N4 – Evolution of communities

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