1. What is a State? Differentiating Terms State
Max Weber defines it as the organization that maintains a monopoly of violence over a territory
Must have sovereignty – the ability to carry out actions or policies within a territory independently from external actors or internal riots
Sovereignty requires power, physical and otherwise, to defend against these other actors
Institutions are what we call actors which carry out the state’s responsibilities (i.e., executive branch, bureaucracy, military, courts, etc.)

2. What is a State? Differentiating Terms Nation
People group that is bound together through shared political aspirations (i.e., self government)
Regime
fundamental rules and norms of politics
Can change gradually or through rapid trauma or revolution
Government
The leadership presently entrusted with running the state
Can change through elections, or transitions of power

3. Comparing State Power Strong States Weak States Failed States
These are simplistic ways to express the power of a state

4. Comparing State Power
Capacity – the ability of a state to wield power in order to carry out the basic tasks of providing security and reconciling freedom and equality
High Capacity – well organized, legitimate, able to enforce its own laws
Autonomy – the ability of a state to wield its power independent of public approval
High Autonomy – state acts on behalf of the public with no regard to public opinion
Low Autonomy – state acts at the behest of private individuals and groups

5. Centralization vs. Decentralization
Unitary – one national government, local/regional units have little or no say in policy
Examples : Great Britain, China, Iran

6. Different Forms of Government
Federal – local units share power with the central national government
Examples : U.S., Mexico, Nigeria, *Russia*

7. Different Forms of Government
Confederal – smaller regional governments hold the most power, united by a weak central government
Examples : European Union, other IGOs