Correct Option (A):
The term "State" in political science is defined by four essential elements: a permanent population, a definite territory, an organized government, and sovereignty (independence from external control). Option (1) accurately encompasses these fundamental components. A state is a political institution that exercises supreme authority over its population within its geographical boundaries, free from external interference.
Incorrect Options:
Option (2): While the protection of natural rights is a significant function and aspiration of many states, particularly those influenced by liberal political philosophy, it is not a universally fundamental defining characteristic of the 'State' itself. The core definition focuses on its structural elements and sovereignty, rather than specific ideological functions.
Option (3): The presence of a shared culture, tradition, and long-term habitation describes a 'nation' or a 'community', but not necessarily a 'State'. A state is primarily a political and legal entity defined by its organized government and sovereignty, which may or may not perfectly coincide with a single cultural group.
Option (4): This option describes specific features of a particular governmental structure, such as a system with a clear executive and an independent judiciary. While these are important aspects of many modern democratic states, they are not universally applicable to all forms of states across different political systems or historical periods. The fundamental definition of a state is broader, requiring only an 'organized government' rather than a specific type of its internal structure or separation of powers.