A government is an institution that makes and enforces public policies through legislative, executive, and judicial powers in order to maintain order in society. A state is a body of people living in a defined territory that is politically organized and able to make laws without consent from a higher authority. There are four theories on the origins of the state: evolutionary theory ties the development of states to the evolution of family and social structures; force theory argues that those with strength enforce their authority; divine right theory holds that power comes from God; and social contract theory views the state as arising from an agreement between the ruler and the people.