Notes

Signs of government are everywhere and there are signs and symbols of government that appear in both obvious and less obvious ways. Some examples include a badge worn by a police officer or even highway projects. Governments help to establish the rules and regulations that govern our everyday life.

There have been thousands of different governments in human history, yet each one was unique. Historians have identified certain purposes shared throughout human history by most existing and developing governments. You can also think of the purposes of government as an answer to this question: What does government actually do?



The Functions of Government

Most humans cannot function and would not choose to live in chaos and turmoil, where mobs rule the land through might and violence. These conditions describe anarchy, or a state without government and laws. Some people believe governments exist to prevent situations like those described above. Legitimate and functioning governments create order, protect people, and give them ways to settle disagreements fairly and peacefully. Government is an institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people under its control. People create governments for a variety of reasons. Governments provide leadership, order, security and defense, public services, and economic assistance and economic security.

To fulfill these purposes, governments make rules that everyone must follow—and they have the authority to punish those who do not follow them. These systems of laws create social, economic, and personal benefits for the people the government governs. All governments serve these purposes, whether those leaders are chosen by the people or take control for themselves.

Providing Leadership

Government officials set priorities and make all sorts of decisions on behalf of the people. They decide what actions are crimes, make decisions about who has to pay taxes and how much they have to pay, and determine who benefits from natural resources like coal and natural gas. They can require that people do things they might not do voluntarily, such as pay taxes or serve in the army. Without leadership, no one and anyone can be in charge—creating anarchy.

Maintaining Order

In nearly any group, people will disagree and some may take advantage of others. Two neighbors may argue about property lines. Parents may argue over a terrible call by a referee at their child’s soccer game. Conflict is an inescapable part of life.

Governments try to control and contain conflict between people by placing limits on what individuals are permitted to do. Governments provide some sort of domestic security force—police or a national guard—to enforce laws and to keep peace. Governments provide courts and other ways for people to resolve their conflicts. They also punish people who break laws.

Without government, civilized life would be impossible. An effective government allows citizens to plan for the future, get an education, raise a family, and live orderly lives.

Providing Public Services

Governments create schools, build sewer systems, pave roads, and provide other services that individuals cannot or would not do on their own. Many other government services promote public health and safety. For example, most fire departments are funded (at least in part) by governments. In the United States, government officials enforce housing codes and inspect meat that is sold in markets. State governments pass laws that require drivers to pass a driving test before a license is issued.

Providing National Security

Another task of government is to protect the people against attack by another country or by terrorists. In today’s world of nuclear weapons, spy satellites, international terrorists, and huge armies, it is a complex and demanding task to provide for the safety of a nation’s citizens. The U.S. federal government is primarily responsible for this task. Some state governments have informal relations with other nations to increase their trade or cultural exchange, but the national government can place limitations on these relations.