Which one of the following best defines the term 'State'?
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
- AA community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized governmentCorrect
- BA politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance
- CA number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government
- DA society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary
Explanation
This option provides the most accurate and complete definition of a 'State' from a political science perspective. The four essential elements of a State are: (1) population (a community of persons), (2) territory (permanently occupying a definite territory), (3) sovereignty (independent of external control), and (4) government (possessing an organized government). Option A captures all these key components, making it the best definition among the choices.
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