The characteristics of a state are what make it a unique political entity with the power to govern a specific territory and its citizens. This article will delve into the defining traits that set a state apart from other political entities. We shall also examine each of the key characteristics of a state in detail and gain a deeper understanding of what makes a state a state.
What is the meaning of a State?
A State is a community of people living permanently on a defined territory and with a common independent government. From the definition above, you can draw a State’s components.
“Before I share these characteristics with you, take a moment to review the definition of a state again. See if you can identify any of the key features that make up the characteristics of a state on your own.
There are five (5) components of a State that we can draw from the above definition: population, permanence, territory, sovereignty and government. We shall look at each of these elements one after the other.
Characteristics of a State
These are the elements of a State:
Population
The element of population comes out from a part of the definition which says “a community of people “.
It means that before a State actually becomes a State, it needs people. In other words, it needs people as citizens of the State. A State cannot stand without the people as it is actually the people that form other elements of the State.
The people form the government, inhabit the territory, live in the territory permanently, and make the State sovereign. So, population (the people) is actually the main characteristic of a State
Permanence
Permanence is another feature that comes from a part of the definition of “living permanently “.
A country cannot relocate from one place to another. The only thing that may happen is to change the country’s name and other things about it. But, relocation is never a feature of the state.
Nigeria, formerly called British territory, was changed to Nigeria, but the location remains the same.
Territory | Features of the state
Territory is another feature of a State which comes from a part of the definition which says “a defined territory “.
A country or State must have a definite place indicated by boundaries with other States. The size of the territory does not really matter.
A State needs territory to function effectively and control its affairs. If two States are to be in the same territory, they will always struggle for sovereignty. It will cause war between those States. Therefore, the need for territory for each State.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty refers to a state’s ability to control its affairs without the interference of other States or external bodies. This is one of the major characteristics of the State.
A country should have the ability to be above all other countries in its capacity. In other words, it should be able to defend and maintain its country. Sovereignty encompasses getting a constitution, functional arms of government. A state should also be able to enforce the law within the State.
Sovereignty of a State earns respect for the State from other States. This is exactly a country that cannot just jump into the affairs of another country.
For the struggle for the sovereignty of a State to succeed, it must have a Constitution. The Constitution states the rules and regulations through which the country runs is affairs. In fact, the Constitution is the grundnorm. Every other country respects the Constitution of a country.
Government
This is one of the elements of the State, which comes from a part of the definition which says “independent government “.
After the people, as a feature of the State, the next feature is the government. The government is an agent of the State such that without the government, the State may not function well.
The government forms part of the sovereignty of the state. It makes the law, enforces it and also interprets the law.
The roles and responsibilities of a government cannot be skipped in a country.
Conclusion – Features of the State
From the brief exposure to the nature of government, it is believable that we have five main components of a State.
The traits of a State above best describe the nature of a state. Its nature is a type that cannot do without those features, especially the government and the people. The government and the people can form the rest of the traits.
