Government Flashcards, test questions and answers

Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Government and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Government and get quick solutions for your test.

What is Government?

The government is the body responsible for governing a country or state. It is composed of elected officials and representatives that are accountable to the public for their actions. Governments have authority to make laws, collect taxes, regulate commerce, provide public services and protect citizens from external threats. Governments also serve as mediators in disputes between individuals or organizations within their jurisdiction.At its core, governments are responsible for ensuring that all citizens have access to basic rights and protections such as freedom of speech, a clean environment, safe food and water supplies, education and healthcare. They also set out clear guidelines on how these rights should be respected. Governments are also tasked with providing economic stability by managing budgets responsibly, regulating markets effectively and creating policies which ensure long-term growth for their nation.In democracies such as the United States of America, governments are formed through elections where citizens vote for representatives who will enact policies on their behalf. These representatives must take into account the wishes of their constituents when making decisions about important issues such as taxation or foreign policy. Democracies also grant citizens certain freedoms which allow them to express their opinions freely without fear of government interference or repression. In other parts of the world such as authoritarian states or dictatorships, governments may be run by one powerful ruler who has little accountability to anyone but him/herself while having complete control over decision making powers within that country’s borders. Such governments often deny citizens certain basic rights while actively oppressing them in an effort to maintain power at any cost resulting in widespread poverty and human suffering. In these cases it is up to international bodies like the United Nations (UN) to step in and put pressure on oppressive regimes so that they respect human rights and meet global standards set forth by nations around the world.