The Four Purposes of Government Explained

📜The primary purposes of government are to establish laws, maintain order, protect citizens from external threats, and promote the general welfare.

📚Laws are made by the people in a democracy, while they are proclaimed by a ruler in an absolute monarchy or dictatorship.

⚖️Central to a democratic government is the principle of the rule of law, which means that all people and institutions within a state are subject to the same laws.

🛡️Governments work to establish order and security, but the underlying goals can vary. Authoritarian governments aim to maintain regime stability, while democratic governments use the rule of law to provide security within the state.

🌍The government protects citizens from external threats by raising and maintaining a military, participating in diplomatic efforts, and signing treaties to promote international security.

What are the main purposes of government?

—The main purposes of government are to establish laws, maintain order, protect citizens from external threats, and promote the general welfare.

Who makes laws in a democracy?

—In a democracy, laws are made by the people or their elected representatives.

What is the rule of law?

—The rule of law is the principle that all people and institutions within a state are subject to the same laws.

How do governments establish order and security?

—Governments establish order and security by enacting and enforcing laws, maintaining a criminal justice system, and providing institutions to settle disputes.

How do governments protect citizens from external threats?

—Governments protect citizens from external threats by raising and maintaining a military, participating in diplomatic efforts, and signing treaties.

00:00The primary purposes of government are to establish laws, maintain order, protect citizens from external threats, and promote the general welfare.

01:27In a democracy, laws are made by the people or their elected representatives, while in absolute monarchies or dictatorships, laws are proclaimed by a ruler.

02:30Central to a democratic government is the principle of the rule of law, which means that all people and institutions within a state are subject to the same laws.

03:09Governments work to establish order and security, with authoritarian governments aiming to maintain regime stability and democratic governments using the rule of law for security within the state.

04:08The government protects citizens from external threats by raising and maintaining a military, participating in diplomatic efforts, and signing treaties for international security.