Characteristics Of A State

People
have tried to define a state going at least as far back as the days of Plato. In 1933,
representatives from a number of countries gathered in Uruguay to define what makes a state, in
what became known as the Montevideo Convention. They came up with four defining characteristics
that make up a state.

1. A state must have a clearly defined
   territory. It needs to be clear where that state is geographically. Its territory can have
   natural borders, like a seacoast, or border the territory of another state.


2. A state must have a permanent population. Antarctica has a clear territory, but since
   it has no permanent population, it cannot be considered a state.
3. A state
   must have a functioning government. A state needs to be administered by a governing body with
   rules and laws that are applicable within the defined border of that state.


4. A state must have the capacity to enter into relations with other states. This
   essentially means that a state is recognized by other states. In a sense, this is the...
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