Government is the authority that makes laws and enforces them, provides public services like health care and education, manages externalities such as pollution or overfishing, distributes wealth through taxes and social security and oversees public budgets. It has evolved over time to meet modern challenges such as economic crises, social inequality and the power of technology giants.
Historically, governments have been the primary enforcers of law and guardians of people. Over time, they have also begun to provide services that citizens cannot easily provide for themselves, such as police and fire departments, roads, schools, hospitals and social services. Governments typically generate revenue through taxes and fees, and they borrow money to pay for services that their constituents can’t afford to pay for themselves.
The Founders of the United States created the Constitution to limit government power and ensure that citizens can make decisions about their own lives. Ultimately, government is only morally justified as an instrument of the people, and its authority comes from the fact that it was elected by those whom it serves.
Governments can be found on every level of society, from local city and county governments to federal agencies and international organizations. The responsibilities of each are generally determined by the Constitution, laws and policies of that country or region.
A key function of government is to protect the rights and liberties of its citizens, including the right to freedom of speech and religion and the protection of property. The Constitution defines these rights and assigns responsibilities to state, county and local governments and federal agencies.
Another important function of government is to regulate access to common goods, such as natural resources, so that the available supply isn’t diminished by the actions of individual citizens. For example, if too many people eat up the supply of wild fish, the population of fish could decrease to a point where it’s no longer sustainable for those who haven’t yet been able to get their hands on one. Governments can regulate access to these goods by charging for use or by limiting how much of the resource one person may consume at any given time.
Governments also have an economic role to play in a market economy by managing positive externalities, addressing environmental concerns and making markets more competitive. Most government policies also redistribute wealth, either by spending on infrastructure or through taxes and social welfare initiatives.
While the roles of government have changed over time, they will continue to be essential to societies that want to live together peacefully and in accordance with laws. Today, governments also provide other critical functions such as ensuring public safety and security, protecting the environment and reducing inequalities in wealth, health, education, work opportunities and income. They also help develop and manage industry, promote new technologies, manage foreign investments and foster economic growth, and oversee public budgets, taxation, social security and governance. These are all critical to a functional and prosperous society.