The state is defined by the classical sociologist Max Weber as a human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of violence within a given territory. This theme is woven through the lectures and tutorial discussion in examination of power in political and social life from a cross-cultural perspective. The state's use of power takes many forms, some of which do not appear to be state violence at all, such as the Cultural Revolution. This and other instances of state power will be examined in the course.