Government is the institution that sets the rules for society and enforces those rules. It is also responsible for taking care of some people, such as providing healthcare and education. Governments are usually separated into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln spoke of “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” This idea, popularized by his Gettysburg Address, is a fundamental principle in many modern democracies. But what does it mean exactly? And how does our current system of government fit into this concept?
In this video, we will examine the history of governments and explore how the different forms of government have evolved over time. Regardless of the type of government, most countries share certain features: a constitution that defines the structure and powers of the government; a system for electing representatives to local councils, state legislatures, or Congress; and a method for raising money by charging taxes on things like income, property, or sales.
There is no one answer to the question of why governments exist, as the reasons are complex and varied. However, one key reason is that governments create a set of rules that ensure that people don’t kill each other or steal from each other. These rules also provide a level of stability for people to make decisions about their economic and social lives.
Another important role of government is protecting common goods. These are services that all people can enjoy but that are limited in supply, such as fish in the ocean or clean water. Governments protect these goods to ensure that they are available for everyone without anyone being left with nothing.
While the responsibilities of governments have changed over the years, they continue to play an essential part in society. In the United States, we have a system of federal government with three branches: the legislative branch, executive branch, and judicial branch. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, the executive branch is in charge of enforcing those laws, and the judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court, interprets laws and decides how they apply to specific situations.
The majority of Americans believe that the government is responsible for taking care of some people, including providing healthcare and education. This belief is especially strong among lower-income adults, with seven in ten of them saying that the government should provide all Americans with an adequate standard of living. Middle- and upper-income Americans, on the other hand, are more likely to say that it is the responsibility of private businesses or individuals to take care of these needs.