ABSTRACT

Polities can be conceptualized as three-dimensional configurations of authority (Leuffen et al. 2013: 8-9).

. Level of centralization: polities that monopolize authoritative decisions in the centre have a maximum level of centralization, whereas decision-making authority dispersed across a multitude of actors indicate a low level of centralization;

. Functional scope varies between authority over a single issue and authority over the entire range of policies;

. Territorial extension: the authority of a polity can be limited geographically to a single political territory, or it may encompass several territories – up to the entire world.