What branch of study examines the government of states and other political units?

The branch of study that examines the government of states and other political units is political science. This discipline focuses on the theory and practice of politics, the analysis of political behavior, the examination of governmental structures, and the study of political systems and institutions. Political scientists explore how policies are formulated and implemented, the dynamics of power and authority, and the various factors that influence political decisions and actions in different contexts.

While other fields such as economics focus on the allocation of resources and wealth distribution, sociology studies social behavior and structures within society, and public administration pertains to the management and implementation of government policies, political science specifically addresses the broader concepts of governance, political theory, and the functioning of political entities. Therefore, it is the most accurate choice for identifying a discipline that directly analyzes government and political systems.