[young_unixer]

Why don't English speakers use the term "state" to talk about the "human community which lays claim to the monopoly on the legitimated use of physical force"? Is it because they want to avoid confusion with states as in "The United States"?

[fennecfoxen]

Not all governments are states. Cities may also have governments, for instance, as might informal associations. In this case where it is less important that the actor is a state; it is more important that they are exercising authority and power, setting and enforcing policy.

Therefore, in this case, the term "government" is a better fit than "state".