A politically independent nation is referred to as a

Answer Details

In political science, a state is a politically organised body of people occupying a defined territory, with a government that exercises sovereign authority and is recognised by other states. The four essential attributes of a state are: a permanent population, a defined territory, a functioning government, and sovereignty (political independence).

Political independence - the capacity to conduct internal and external affairs without being subject to another authority - is the hallmark of sovereignty, and sovereignty is the defining feature that distinguishes a state from other forms of human organisation.

A territory refers only to a geographical area and may or may not be politically independent (colonies and dependent territories are not sovereign). A society is a group of people who share common culture, norms, and social relationships, but it is a sociological concept, not a political one. A community is a group of people living together with shared interests or identity, but it lacks the formal political and legal structures of a state.

A politically independent nation is therefore referred to as a state.