Section 2
Government and the State
Book
Version 4
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Sociology
Sociology
by Boundless
4 concepts
Functions of the State
Various schools of thought consider the state to be either a neutral entity separated from society or an immoral partisan instrument.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1262/square/ive-presidents-oval-office.jpeg)
Characteristics of the State
A state is an organized political community acting under a government. States differ in sovereignty, governance, geography, and interests.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/1265/square/tizenship-2c-two-passports.jpeg)
Citizenship Rights
Citizenship carries both rights and responsibilities, as it describes a person with legal rights within a given political order.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/5959/square/greek-persian-duel.jpeg)
State Formation
Theories explaining the origins and formation of states all revolve around the ability to centralize power in a sustainable way.