Government is the system by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish goals and provide benefits that the society as a whole needs. Governments are found around the world and there are a wide variety of goals that they seek to accomplish, although some of the most common include economic prosperity, secure national borders, and the safety and well-being of citizens. Governments also serve a variety of functions that benefit the people, such as police and fire departments, education, health care, and transportation infrastructure.
Governments collect money by imposing taxes, fees, and other charges on the population. They also borrow from the public by selling bonds, in which investors loan money to the government for a set period of time at a specific interest rate. Governments then disburse these funds in contracts with businesses, through social programs, and in other ways that are beneficial to the population.
The concept of government has evolved significantly over the course of human history. Its basic roles have always been there, such as the enforcement of laws and the caretakers of society, but the responsibilities of modern governments have expanded to take on many other tasks, including managing externalities, driving economic growth, allocating revenue, regulating taxes, and providing social security. Governments have also adapted to meet the changing needs of the population and society, as they must deal with issues such as economic crises and rising social inequalities.
Governments may be classified in a number of ways, but the most common classification is by political philosophy. There are two main types of modern political systems: democracies and totalitarian regimes, with a host of hybrid regimes that exist in between. The philosophies that underlie different forms of government often differ considerably, as the beliefs and values that drive each form of polity are quite diverse.
In the United States, we believe that our government should be open and accountable to the people. This means that the citizens should be able to review the documents and statistics that lead to decisions made by our government. Access to these records is vital to our democracy. We also believe that it is essential to maintain a judicial system that provides fair and impartial service to all citizens.
In the United States, the primary responsibility of government is to maintain law and order within its borders. This requires the funding of a strong police force, a judicial system that serves all citizens equally, and an effective military. Once the safety of its citizens is ensured, a government can then focus on the economy and the provision of social services such as education, health care, and transportation infrastructure. This is a responsibility that is shared at the city, state, and federal levels of government. Representatives elected to city councils, state legislatures, and Congress try to secure funding for things that will benefit the people they represent. For example, a local government may allot funds for police and fire departments, maintenance of state roads and bridges, and the management of parks.
