State

The state, or nation-state, is a political entity composed of a ruling class, their allies, and the security institutions that safeguard their authority and interests. Its central aim is to maintain control over a defined geographic area and its population. To legitimize its power, the state constructs narratives—moral, historical, or legal—that justify its existence and cultivate public allegiance. These narratives are designed to shape collective consciousness and secure compliance. In the face of resistance or disobedience, the state claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence, which it may exercise without external accountability.