What characterized the concept of the Renaissance state?

The concept of the Renaissance state is best characterized by the idea that the state continued to exist independent of the ruler's personal fate. This reflects a significant development in political theory during the Renaissance, emphasizing the importance of institutions and governance structures that persisted beyond the individual who held power.

In this context, the state is understood as an entity with its own identity and authority, capable of maintaining order, enacting laws, and functioning even in the absence of a specific ruler. This notion marked a departure from earlier models of governance where the ruler's power and identity were tightly interwoven with the state's existence.

The understanding of the state as an independent body allowed for the growth of bureaucracies and the establishment of legal frameworks that could endure beyond a ruler's lifetime. This advancement laid foundational ideas for modern nation-states where institutions hold significance apart from any single leader.