How does the state differ from other forms of political organization?

The
"state" differs from other forms of
political organization in very profound ways. 
Whereas "other forms of
political organization" can refer to political parties,

ideologically-oriented public policy or public advocacy organizations, political
fund-raising
organizations, and so on, "state" has a more substantive
meaning. 

Political scientists and international affairs
scholars routinely think in terms of
"state" and "nonstate" actors when
discussing the role of government and
nongovernmental organizations in the
making of public policy.  The term "state" has
certain connotations directly
associated with governing institutions that, at least in a
democracy, enjoy
the consent of the governed.  "States" are generally sovereign
entities the
existence of which are a result of political processes, including elections
and
parliamentary systems.  They are vested with the
authority...