Briefly explain difference between state and government un public policy

1 answer

In the context of public policy, the terms "state" and "government" refer to different concepts:

  1. State: The state is a broader, enduring entity that includes the institutions and structures responsible for upholding order, law, sovereignty, and social order within a defined territory. It encompasses the population, the territory, and the political authority. The state persists through different administrations and political regimes.

  2. Government: Government refers specifically to the temporary apparatus or leadership that administers the state. It includes elected officials, bureaucratic organizations, and various agencies that implement laws and policies. Governments can change through elections, appointments, or other political processes, but the state remains intact regardless of the government in power.

In summary, the state is the overarching structure that persists over time, while the government is the specific group of individuals who operate within that structure to direct policy and administration at any given time.