Do you know how the state differs from the country? After all, we are used to the fact that both terms are identical. However, such is allowed only in colloquial terms. When these words are pronounced by scientists or political scientists, for example, they put different meanings in them. It would be nice to understand this so as not to get confused. If you look, it turns out that the difference between the country and the state is quite large. Although there are common features, why a relative identity of concepts arose.
What is a state?
Any question needs to be studied with definitions. Understanding how the state differs from the country, we are immediately faced with a problem. The fact is that science has not reached full agreement in decoding the last term. Most experts use a rather confusing and complicated explanation. In their opinion, the state is a political entity that establishes rules in a certain territory and has sovereignty. In addition, it has a management apparatus, including enforcement and defense mechanisms. Agree, it is not yet clear how the state differs from the country. After all, we all confidently attribute all of the above signs to the latter. Does the country have an army, police, government? So what is the difference?
Let's dig deeper. The word "state" occurred in Russia. In ancient times, princes ruled the lands. They called the main "sovereign". He was the supreme judge for all the inhabitants of the territory. By the way, the "sovereign" came from the "lord". That is, the prince, and later the king, was recognized as the viceroy of God on earth. It turns out that by etymology the term "state" has a spiritual essence. This is not quite a mechanism, as scientists explain to us.
Signs of the state
Scientists decided to name the country territory that has political borders. She, unlike the state, does not have sovereignty. That is, it is in a subordinate position in relation to another power. Cannot make independent (sovereign) decisions. An example of a country is the British Virgin Islands. This territory has borders. But she is ruled by the queen. It turns out that the country's independence from other states is absent. She has a overlord, a sovereign master. The state is characterized by the following features:
- the presence of power acting on behalf of the people (public);
- the publication of legislation governing society;
- economic independence;
- symbolism and a single official language.
Sovereignty
Finding out how the state differs from the country, we will certainly encounter the issue of independence. After all, symbols, economics, like bureaucracy and the police, exist in countries. But they do not belong to the people, do not work to realize the aspirations and aspirations of citizens. It turns out that the main feature of the state is the country's independence from other states, the inadmissibility of violating the will of society. And it is expressed through a plebiscite. Simply put, people choose representatives who are required to work to realize their interests. Or this function is performed by the elite, which plays a decisive role in the fact of birth. However, any spokesman for the will of the people does not allow outside interference in the affairs of the state. By the way, who makes decisions depends on the political system. There are two main ones. More about them.
Forms of government
History shows us that power in Russia before the revolution and after was arranged in various ways. In the UK, it is concentrated in the hands of the queen, in the USA it is divided between the president and parliament. There are countries in which the head of state performs only representative functions, and serious decisions are made by an elected body. It happens and vice versa. For example, in Russia, most of the power is concentrated in the hands of the president. And in Germany, a person holding a similar post accepts only foreign guests and participates in other public events. Decisions are made by the Chancellor. The forms of government are as follows:
- monarchy (autocracy);
- republic (democracy).
In the first case, one person manages the company, who receives this right by inheritance (mainly). In the republic, power belongs to the people, who delegate it to their representatives through a plebiscite.
