state authority / state power
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state power
The comprehensive power and authority of a state to enact laws, enforce them, and administer justice. It is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial power.
Die Polizei ist ein Organ der ausübenden Staatsgewalt.
The police are an organ of executive state power.
The word consists of 'Staat' (state) and 'Gewalt' (power/force). What matters here is that 'Gewalt' in this context means 'Macht' (power) or 'Autorität' (authority), not 'Gewalttätigkeit' (violence). It refers to the legitimate power of the state.
Die Teilung der Staatsgewalt ist ein Grundprinzip der Demokratie.
The separation of state power is a fundamental principle of democracy.
'Staatsgewalt' is used almost exclusively in the singular, because it describes the entire, indivisible power of the state as a concept.
Die Demonstranten protestierten gegen die ausübende Staatsgewalt.
The demonstrators protested against executive state power.
In a political context, people often talk about the separation of state power. The typical connection is the listing of the three areas: legislative (law-making), executive (implementing), and judicial (judging) power.
Das Parlament ist Teil der legislativen Staatsgewalt.
Parliament is part of legislative state power.
When there is talk of a conflict with 'Staatsgewalt' (state authority), it usually refers specifically to the acting organs of the state, especially the police.
Bei der Räumung des Platzes kam es zu Auseinandersetzungen mit der Staatsgewalt.
During the clearing of the square, there were confrontations with the state authorities.
government
'die Regierung' and 'die Staatsgewalt' both belong to the area of the state and power. 'die Regierung' usually means the specific group of people who lead a country politically, for example the chancellor and ministers. 'die Staatsgewalt' is broader: it means the full power of the state or the bodies that exercise this power, including the parliament, courts, or police. They can be confused because the government is part of state power. When talking about political leadership, 'Regierung' is more natural. When talking about the power of the state as a whole, 'Staatsgewalt' is more precise.
In einer Demokratie ist die Staatsgewalt auf verschiedene Organe verteilt.
In a democracy, state power is distributed among different bodies.
Die Regierung stellt heute ihre neuen Pläne für den Haushalt vor.
The government is presenting its new plans for the budget today.