Government is a system of people, laws and officials that define the country you live in. The goal of most governments is to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens. They also provide citizens with services like free public education, police and fire protection and mail delivery. In addition, they regulate access to common goods such as wildlife and public lands, so that one person does not take too much from the supply and leave others with nothing.
Politics is the process by which people seek to control the government and influence its decisions. It involves identifying and supporting ideals that will guide the actions of the government and how resources will be distributed. These decisions will affect the economy and social life of a nation. Politics can also include the process of choosing which economic and social policies the government will support, including whether it will promote individualism or favor large corporations.
There are different types of governments, but they all have similar goals. Some may have more branches than others, but they all aim to govern and provide security for the citizens. The most popular type of government is a democracy, which allows citizens to elect representatives who will make political decisions on their behalf. These politicians are called legislators and are part of a group of people who share the same political ideas and beliefs. They are referred to as a party and the region they represent is known as a constituency.
Another important function of government is to protect citizens from abuse by government officials or other people who might take advantage of them. Governments typically have a bill of rights that establishes certain standards for civil liberties and limits the power of the government. These standards often include freedom of speech, freedom of the press, equal treatment and an independent judiciary.
All people have the right to a basic standard of living that includes food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Most governments also guarantee their citizens the right to work and to a minimum level of income, as set by law. They also provide legal aid for criminal cases and a system of courts that are fair and impartial.
Most governments are concerned with public life, but the rules and regulations that a government establishes can also impact private life. For example, most western democracies allow their citizens to vote in elections and have a say in the people who run the government. The right to protest and freedom of religion are also governed by government rules and laws. Many governments also offer a variety of goods to citizens that they would not have access to in the marketplace, such as subsidized housing and free public education. The purpose of this is to help the poor and disadvantaged, which will have a positive impact on society as a whole. It is the job of government to ensure that these goods reach all of their citizens regardless of social class or income.