They are essentially instruments of state power.

他们本质上是国家力量的工具。

The central state, though often very rich and very populous, was intrinsically fragile, since the development of new international trade routes could undermine the monetary base and erode state power.

尽管中央帝国通常非常富有和人口稠密，它本质上是很脆弱的，因为新的国际贸易路线的发展可能会破坏货币基础和侵蚀国家权力。

But they are essentially instruments of state power.

但是他们本质上是国家力量的工具。

there is no other source from which State power can be drawn.

也就是说国家力量并不存在其他的来源。

Everyone knows a big outfit like Golden State Power bends the truth now and then.

大家都知道金州公司这样的大企业有时候歪曲事实。