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The State is the group of people that by having effective control over a government stand to benefit the most from the exercise of its power. Nock differentiates between government and the State, indicating the former "implements the common desire of society" for "freedom and security" (quoting Paine), whereas the State originates in "conquest and confiscation". An individual such as a public school teacher may be part of a government but perhaps not part of the State. Conversely, an executive at a military contractor who may not be formally a government employee, can still be considered part of the State, particularly if the executive influences government procurement decisions.
An adjective such as "welfare", "warfare" or "security" is sometimes added to "the state" to emphasize the subset of the State that concerns itself with such activities.
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