Question

(10 points)

1. government has been defined as \the institution created by a society to create and enforce public policies\. it has also been defined as \a group of people who have the power to make and enforce laws.\ which definitions better expresses what your understanding of government is? explain your choice. if you find both definitions inadequate, write your own, and explain it.

answer:

(10 points)

1. list five purposes of government. provide an example of government either real or fictional, fulfilling each.

answer:
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example:

Explanation:

Question 1

To determine which definition of government is better, we analyze both. The first definition, "the institution created by a society to create and enforce public policies," is more comprehensive. It emphasizes government as an institutional entity formed by society, with a focus on policy - making and enforcement. The second definition, "a group of people who have the power to make and enforce laws," is narrower as it focuses mainly on the people in power and law - making. The first definition captures the broader role of government in formulating and implementing various public policies (not just laws) for the society that established it. For example, a government may create policies related to education, healthcare, and economic development, which go beyond just making laws. If we were to create our own definition, it could be "Government is a structured system, established by a society, that exercises authority to manage public affairs, provide public goods, and maintain order through the creation and enforcement of policies and laws." This definition combines the idea of a structured system (institution), the societal origin, and the multiple functions like managing affairs, providing goods, and maintaining order.

1. Maintaining Order: Governments create and enforce laws to ensure that there is a stable and orderly society. For example, the United States government has laws against crimes like theft and assault, and law - enforcement agencies like the police to enforce these laws.
2. Providing Public Goods and Services: Governments are responsible for providing goods and services that are beneficial to the public as a whole and may not be adequately provided by the private sector. For example, the government of most countries builds and maintains public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and public transportation systems.
3. Protecting National Security: Governments protect their countries from external threats. For example, the government of Israel has a strong military to protect the country from threats from neighboring countries and terrorist groups.
4. Promoting Economic Stability and Growth: Governments implement policies to ensure that the economy functions well. For example, the Federal Reserve in the United States uses monetary policies like adjusting interest rates to control inflation and promote economic growth.
5. Ensuring Social Justice: Governments work to ensure that all members of society are treated fairly. For example, the South African government has implemented policies to address the historical injustices of apartheid, such as affirmative action programs to promote the economic and social advancement of the black population.

Answer:

The definition "the institution created by a society to create and enforce public policies" better expresses the understanding of government. It is more comprehensive as it views government as an institutional entity formed by society and emphasizes its role in formulating and implementing a wide range of public policies (not just laws). The second definition is narrower as it focuses mainly on the people in power and law - making. (If creating a new definition: "Government is a structured system, established by a society, that exercises authority to manage public affairs, provide public goods, and maintain order through the creation and enforcement of policies and laws." This definition combines the idea of a structured system (institution), the societal origin, and the multiple functions like managing affairs, providing goods, and maintaining order.)

Question 2