That points out one of the really big problems these days. The Comprehensive Theory of the State has not been developed. There have been a handfull of partial attempts dating back to the 18th cent., but we still have no scolarly, philosophically correct, thorough and complete Theory. It is something that needs doing, and until it is done we are capable of doing no more than flinging incomprehensible slogans at each other.
Though it's straying somewhat from the subject of this thread, I would support the classical Burkeian definition of the State as a body whose sole justification is its ability to do better for the People certain things they cannot or will not do themselves. The simple fact that government intervention occasionally evolves to the public benefit is not adequate justification for that intervention. The benefit must be consistent, demonstrable, and parsimonious in its demands on individual liberties.