Government is the system or group of people that carries out the laws, rules and responsibilities of a country or State. It is the entity that defines and enforces the rules of a society and often provides essential services like health care and education. Governments are the ultimate authority for a nation, having the power to tax and draw upon national resources, as well as the ability to compel citizen compliance.
While the role of government has changed over time, it remains a necessary part of society. According to a Pew study, Americans think the government does a good job of keeping us safe from terrorist attacks, responding to natural disasters, helping people out of poverty, fighting for the environment and maintaining infrastructure. But the public is split on how well the government does in other areas, including caring for people.
Governing a nation requires a variety of skills and resources. Governments must be able to set and enforce the rules of a society, collect taxes, regulate markets and provide security and stability. They also have to provide goods and services that the market can’t, such as public schools, parks and postal service. This concept of the government as provider is one that has become increasingly accepted in recent years.
The government must also monopolize the use of force to protect citizens from danger and to ensure that everyone obeys the law. The government must also have the ability to raise funds, manage resources and create a level of social cohesion in society. Finally, it must be able to address market failures and externalities. This includes addressing free-rider problems in which people don’t invest in goods or services that benefit them but others do, which can lead to tragedy.
There are many ways a government can accomplish these functions, depending on the philosophy and values it supports. For example, if the government focuses on equality, it may support programs like universal health care and extensive welfare benefits to help all citizens out of poverty. Alternatively, it may emphasize liberty and limit how much the police can spy on private phone calls.
How governments make their decisions is also a big factor in how they are perceived by the public. For instance, a government that prioritizes security might increase spending on homeland defense and increase the number of intelligence agents it employs. This is a different approach than one that places a high value on liberty and instead prioritizes cutting the deficit, which might reduce military spending and cut back on the amount of surveillance it conducts.
In the United States, the Federal Government is composed of three distinct branches: Congress (legislative), the President (executive) and the Federal courts (judicial). The Constitution lays out the modality of designation, missions and powers for each of these branches. The Federal government is also a large and complex organization, with numerous offices, agencies and committees. Each of these is staffed by professionals with specific knowledge and expertise.