What is Government and What Are Its Functions Foundations Lesson 1

Civics and Government Civics: study of rights and duties of citizens Most people are citizens of the country in which they live How has the definition of citizen changed? Government: ruling authority for a community that has the power to make and enforce laws and decisions

Functions of Government Govt. provides services that individuals could not supply independently There are 4 main functions of government Keeping Order: govt. makes laws to help prevent conflicts and to settle those that occur This includes enforcing traffic laws, using courts Provide Security: Govts. set up police forces, court systems, militaries, and defense agencies to protect citizens from enemies

Functions of Government Providing Public Services: create and manage libraries, schools, hospitals, parks, recreation centers, utilities, repair roads, collect garbage, deliver mail, fire departments, food inspectors, welfare Govt. pays for these services through various taxes How should a govt. decide what public services to provide, how do you protect tax payers?

Functions of Government Guiding the community: govt. formulates public policy Public policy: course of action govt. will take to achieve its goals A budget determines where the govt. will spend its money, it signal priorities Govt. also deals with other govts. to create trade, travel, and peace deals

Levels of Government Within a single country there can be several levels of govt. In the US we have a federal (central) govt., 50 state govts. and numerous local govts. Local govt. is the level closest to Americans Laws of the lower levels of govt. can not go against the laws of the higher levels of govt. Different levels of govt. handle different responsibilities Mayor Jim Gray