What is the difference between state actors and nonstate actors?

What is the difference between state actors and nonstate actors?

• A. Nonstate actors are terrorists; state actors are corporations
• B. Nonstate actors are countries; state actors are not
• C. State actors are countries; nonstate actors are not (terrorists, NGOs, etc.)
• D. State actors are legal entities; nonstate actors are illegal

Answer: (C)

State actors are recognized governments or countries with sovereignty, authority over a defined territory, and the capacity to enter treaties and deploy military force. Nonstate actors are groups or entities not representing a government—such as NGOs, multinational corporations, or terrorist organizations—that can influence international affairs but don’t possess sovereignty or formal treaty-making power. Therefore, state actors are countries, while nonstate actors are not (they include terrorists, NGOs, corporations, and similar groups).

State actors are recognized governments or countries with sovereignty, authority over a defined territory, and the capacity to enter treaties and deploy military force. Nonstate actors are groups or entities not representing a government—such as NGOs, multinational corporations, or terrorist organizations—that can influence international affairs but don’t possess sovereignty or formal treaty-making power. Therefore, state actors are countries, while nonstate actors are not (they include terrorists, NGOs, corporations, and similar groups).