I feel that the rulers and the states got their power from the beliefs of their subjects. They fed on the fear of the people. The people feared the wrath of the god and they believed that the rulers were representation of the God and it would be a sin to not follow the rules of their ruler. This is how people in medieval and Renaissance Europe followed their rulers. In fact, in the book of the Game of Thrones Varys has mentioned that power is found where people believe it is found. Therefore, it is the people who believe that their rulers are God’s representatives and they fear to defy them.