What is a state? What characteristics must a state possess?
Explanation
A state is a geographical territory occupied by a group of people of different cultural background with an organised government. These people are entirely free from external control and intervention and must be ready to obey the decisions and laws of the constituted government. There is the possibility of the government using force in a state to secure obedience from the people. Examples of such states are; U. S. A., Britain, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Russia, Canada, etc.
Characteristics of a State: The state has the following characteristics or features:
(i) Permanence: The state is a permanent feature. Governments may change but the state remains.
(ii) Population: A state is occupied by people and these people make up the entire population, not animals. There is no limitation to the number of people making up a state.
(iii) Territory: A state has a defined territory with clear boundaries separating it from other states. e.g. Nigeria and Benin Republic. Waters and mountains and natural resources are part of the state.
(iv) Sovereignty: The state possesses the supreme power that enables it to make decisions and enforce such on the people.
(v) Government: Government is a machinery set up by the state to administer the state. Government takes the political, economic, cultural and other controls on behalf of the state.