In order for the different people who form part of the same group to be able to organize their activity, the human being has created and developed various mechanisms and organizations that allow for the correct management of the behavior and activity of its components. These mechanisms act to direct and establish the limits of behaviour and try to guarantee that the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of each member of society are fulfilled.

The figure of the State is formed, which is going to be directed by the Government. Both concepts have become confused on many occasions, so in this article we will try to establish the main differences between State and government .

Defining State and Government

When we speak of the State, we are using a concept of a political and legal nature that refers to the set of elements that form part of a society. The State includes both the set of individuals that make it up and the way it is organized, as well as, to a lesser extent, the territory they occupy and their borders. The State is sovereign and the different powers (legislative, executive and judicial) emanate from it , and it allows for the establishment of limits, norms, responsibilities, rights and freedoms so that coexistence can be regulated.

But in order for the state to function properly it needs to be managed in some way. This is the responsibility of the government. This is understood as the set of individuals and institutions that administer the State, exercising the different functions of the executive power. The government assumes the leadership of society and the authority to ensure that the different laws are followed and implemented, being an important part of the State but not the only one.

In this way we can perceive that the government is a part of the State , not being both concepts synonymous or referring to the same thing.

Main differences between government and state

Below we will look at some of the main differences between the two concepts: State and Government.

Level of inclusion between concepts

One of the main differences between state and government is that one is only a part of the other. The state includes the government, which holds political power (specifically, it takes over executive power), as part of it.

But the State is much more, since this concept refers to all the components of the same society, its territory and its way of organizing itself.

2. Level of abstraction

Another aspect in which they differ is the level of abstraction that both concepts imply. The government as an institution is perceptible and it is possible to recognize those who are part of it , being able to identify the individuals who make it up.

However, the term State is rather an abstract concept in which citizenship, territory and its organization are integrated, not being something clearly perceptible.

3. Duration and stability

State and government are also different in another respect: their duration. While the State remains unaltered over time unless the unity between its components is dissolved or it is integrated into a new State that includes it, the Government has a determined duration, whether this is agreed upon beforehand (as in our country, where we have elections every four years) or in the face of the deposition with even the death of its rulers (as in dictatorships, or in countries with forms of government such as absolute monarchy).

4. Power

The level of power held by government and state is also different, although there are clear differences depending on the type of government a region has.

In order for the different people who form part of the same group to be able to organize their activity, the human being has created and developed various mechanisms and organizations that allow for the correct management of the behavior and activity of its components. These mechanisms act to direct and establish the limits of behaviour and try to guarantee that the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of each member of society are fulfilled.

The figure of the State is formed, which is going to be directed by the Government.
Both concepts have become confused on many occasions, so in this article we will try to establish the main differences between State and government .

Defining State and Government

When we speak of the State, we are using a concept of a political and legal nature that refers to the set of elements that form part of a society. The State includes both the set of individuals that make it up and the way it is organized, as well as, to a lesser extent, the territory they occupy and their borders. The State is sovereign and the different powers (legislative, executive and judicial) emanate from it , and it allows for the establishment of limits, norms, responsibilities, rights and freedoms so that coexistence can be regulated.

But in order for the state to function properly it needs to be managed in some way.