Main Difference – State vs Government
Although the two terms state and government are commonly used as synonyms, there is a difference between them. Government refers to the group of authorized people who governs a country or a state. State refers to the organized political community living under a single system of government. The main difference between state and government is that state is more or less permanent whereas government is temporary. The death of a ruler or a defeat at an election can change the government.
What is a Government
A government is the system by which a state or community is controlled. Government also refers to the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state at a given time.
Governments exist at national, regional and local level but, local governments are subordinate to higher-level governments. The government is in charge of creating and administering laws for a country/region and the people. It also has the authority to enforce state policy. The main function of the government is enforcing existing laws, legislating new laws, and arbitrating conflicts.
Governments can be categorized into several types. Democracy, republic, monarchy, democratic republic are some common types of governments. In monarchies, the government does not change often, and the people in power are self-perpetuating or hereditary class. In democracies, the positions of power are filled by representatives elected by people.
Government is not permanent; it is temporary. The death of a ruler or defeat in the general election can overthrow a government.
What is a State
A state is a type of political entity. It is an organized political community that lives under a single system of government.
The main difference between state and government is that the government refers to a particular group of people who control the state at a given time whereas the state is an organized political community. Basically, the state power is employed through the government. Although a state is an immaterial and nonphysical social object, unlike governments, it is permanent.
Difference Between State and Government
Definition
State is an organized political community that lives under a single system of government.
Government is the system by which a state or community is controlled.
Permanency
State is more or less permanent.
Governments are temporary.
Concept
State refers to a political entity that is immaterial and non-physical.
Government generally refers to a group of people.
Power Relation
State employs its power through the government.
Government controls the state at a given time.
Image Courtesy:
“Hellenic Government – Main chamber” By ΠΑΣΟΚ – , (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes” By Unknown – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
