A government is a
political
organization that attempts to maintain control of a
territory. The modern standard unit of territory comprises a
state. "State" may also be used to refer to the government
of the state itself.
Within a state,
subnational entities may have
local governments which do not have the full power of a
national government. "Control" involves activities such as
collecting
taxes, controlling entry and exit to the state, preventing
encroachment of territory by neighbouring states and preventing
the establishment of alternative governments within the state.
Governments use a variety of methods to maintain control,
such as
police and
military forces (particular under
despotism, see also
police state), making agreements with other states and
maintaining support within the state. Typical methods of
maintaining support include providing
justice,
administration and
social welfare, claiming support of
deities, providing benefits to influential groups, holding
elections for important posts within the state, limiting the
power of the state through
laws and
constitutions and appealing to
nationalism.
Various
forms of government have been implemented or proposed. A
government in a developed state is likely to have various sub-organisations
known as offices or departments which are headed by politically
appointed officials, often called
ministers or secretaries. Ministers may in theory act as
advisors to the
head of state, but in practice have a certain amount of
direct power in specific areas. In most modern
democracies, the elected
legislative assembly has the power to dismiss the
government, though the
head of state generally has great latitude in appointing a
new one.
See also
politics,
political philosophy,
political science,
cabinet,
executive,
legislature,
Westminster system,
egovernment
For alternate topics of government check out
Governmental Questions
