Why do we have states and not provinces?
919901
It has very much to do with how the United States was formed - from small units to a larger country instead of the conventional way where a nation is split into multiple provinces. This division of a nation into a central and local government is known as FEDERALISM.\n\nTake China for example, which uses provinces. The nation was united under emperor Qin Shi Huang and divided into multiple provinces, in order to more efficiently govern the nation. Here, the central government did the dividing, and hence kept as much power as possible to themselves.\n\nIn contrast, the United States (the name itself is suggestive) upon its formation consisted of 13 colonies, which united under a common cause to achieve independence. None of these states wanted to give up their power, contributing to the failure of the first union under the Articles of Confederation.\n\nThis was finally solved under the Constitution, which we continue to live under today. The basic model, however, persists, where the states have their own sphere of power that the central government (often misleadingly called the "federal government") cannot infringe upon. This does not exist under the province system where the central government is supreme in all matters.
598282
in a bureaucratic state, government is elected and pretends to care and help the people...for reelection of course.  \n\nin a feudal state, government is not elected and doesn't have to care or help the people, it's all about themselves.
1036706
Because United Kingdom, as its name implies, is a unified group of nations.... Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales.  Just as "Russia" is really a collection of several republics and the US is a collection of states.\nEngland is only one of these (but the most powerful).
853040
Ah, the same reason why California has a very confusing ( and constantly changing ) gun law.\n\nYou see, there's a Federal constitution and a State Constitution.  The Federal Constitution is the minimum, the standard for all states.  But, since there is nothing written down in the Federal constitution that says same sex marriages are allowed, the individual states can out law them with in their own borders.\nYes, I understand your point, but it's not about morality.  It's about politics.  Which basically translates to votes.  The leaders need to be popular with the masses to keep their jobs.
314128
Counties are never incorporated or not, they are simply subdivisons of the state.  Now a county can have unincorporated and incorporated areas.  The difference is that there is a local government for the incorporated areas.  (ie a city)  Now depending on the state there can be towns or villages that aren't considered "incorporated".  This means that it's basiclly just considered an area and there's no local government.  \n\nFor example I have a friend who lives in the "town" of McQueeny, and another who lives in the "city" of Seguin.  The "town" of McQueeny isn't really a government, there's no police, fire, elected officals, etc, and can not make laws.  The "city" of Seguin though is a government with elected officals, taxes, police, EMS, fire, etc, and the "city" can make laws.  \n\nIt's basiclly a defention written by the state, but most towns aren't incorporated and thus have no local government except the county.  Cities and villages (villages are mainly a New England area concept) are incorporated and thus have their own government.
862532
We don't. Perhaps we did back when it took days travel between the states. Now that modern technology allows votes to be counted almost instantly, its a bit of an anachronism. \n\nElectoral votes could be portioned out and assigned right as the vote comes in, without the use of Electors. Giving each state two extra votes balances out the power disparity between small and large states. This means in some ways that people who live in a small state have a greater say in national politics, however this was done because of the Federal nature of our government. Power is divided between the State governments and National government. The use of Electoral votes balances things out somewhat.
807350
Most US states have their own constitutions, just like the American Constitution.  The Constitution defines the state or country as an entity and is the foundation of the laws of the country or state.  They usually define the basic rights of the citizens and the workings of the government.
213450
If the state legislature can do it, then by virtue of the fact that a city a sub-entity of the state they can do it also.  Remember unlike the difference between the states and the federal government were the federal government can not dissolve a state, that a state creates and can dissolve a city.  Therefore a city is truly for all purposes a "department" within the state whos jurisdiction is not limited by the issue (unless the state says they can't) but rather by geography.
524108
That's a good question.  I've always thought that we're all three of them..We are a colony because we're not autonomic nor sovereign and we're under the Federal government of the US...we're a territory of the US and we're a commonwealth (the commonwealth of Puerto Rico).  I think that commonwealth (ELA) is the least we are and that we're more of a modern colony.
600738
Its where the states got to chose if they wanted to be a slave state or a free state. I'm studing the SAME THING!!! Good luck!! =)
432457
Who cares if it's a "state-by-state" thing???  The questioner asked about the province of Ontario.  Can't any of you people read?
475598
Because the Constitution was set up that way. Certain powers are delegated to the federal government while others are delegated to the state or local governments. While states cannot go against the constitution (such as the bill of rights), they have great latitude in making laws tailored to their state.\n\nSome would say the fact that each state is different is a strength- people in Maine, California, Michigan, and Alabama all have different values. Why should they have the same laws ?
525962
Puerto Rico belongs to the USA but is not a state..it is considered a province( I believe)  In the 60's, all the countries were communist or a monarche.  I think all but Puerto Rico still is.  Therefore, since the countries were totalitarian in nature, the ppl fled to freedom.  The cities included Florida, NYC, CA and AZ...and by the way they are still coming but for different reasons even though the governments are still the same.
991045
To keep who ever appointed them's party in power.  Just another way corruption is built in to the system.\n\nThere are also legit reasons to move lines, like shifts in the population, if there are more people in one part of the state they need smaller districts (geographically smaller)  or if the state gets more Representatives, or less Representatives biased on population the lines need to be moved.
603304
Because Presidents are supposed to be born in the country they run...\nIs just a rule, and I think it applies to every country.\nIt can be a bit shallow if you consider that if you arrived to a new country when you were 1 year old, you are practically from that country but... what can I say?\nYou can still be governor though. Ask Mr. Schwarzenegger.\n\nGoodluck!
692393
Some nations have seperate heads of State and Government. Other nations, such as the United States have one person representing Head of Stateand Government.\n\nIt all depends on the type of government they have; Parlimentarian, Federal Republic, etc.
582946
Because they are a commonwealth.  They run their own country and the US only impacts certain areas.\n\nThis site tells you all about it.\nhttp://welcome.topuertorico.org/government.shtml