Government is an institution responsible for enforcing law and order in a society, providing security at the national borders and within the country, maintaining strict environmental standards, and ensuring that humans and nature live in harmony. It is composed of the central authority, often called the executive branch and its supporting agencies, and the legislature, which consists of representatives elected by citizens to represent their social and economic interests.

In the modern world, the most important function of government is to protect people from violence both from other citizens and from outsiders. The horrors of a society without this function are on full display in the world’s war zones and fragile states. The classic modern understanding of this function includes the rights to life and property, which are protected by governments from infringement by other nations or their own citizens.

A second role of government is to provide goods and services that citizens cannot efficiently or economically produce on their own. These include military defense, fire and police departments, roads, education, and social programs. Government entities raise funds to pay for these items by collecting taxes and fees. They also borrow money by selling securities, such as bonds, to the public.

Moreover, government entities are charged with preserving the nation against internal and external threats, which they do by maintaining armed forces and conducting intelligence activities. In addition, they must preserve the environment and ensure that people have access to natural resources and clean water. These functions are usually divided among different levels of government to ensure their proper execution.

Finally, governments are charged with providing a medium through which citizens can interact and solve problems collectively. This is a solution to the problem of free-rider problems, in which a person can benefit from a good without contributing to its creation.

This is why most western democracies provide citizens with a variety of freedoms, including the right to speak and the right to vote. Moreover, these freedoms allow citizens to express their opinions and concerns to those in power.

Although government’s tasks are daunting, it is a necessary institution. Governments must be able to balance competing needs and objectives, balancing its responsibilities against the cost of carrying out these obligations. One way to do this is through the separation of powers and checks and balances, which slow the policymaking process and make it difficult for government officials to enact laws they disagree with. Another method is through direct representation, which allows citizens to choose the individuals who will govern them. This approach provides the best opportunity for citizen input. In some countries, citizens who have the same beliefs or values form groups to elect their leaders. These groups are called political parties. These parties have the most influence on policy in countries with democracies, but can also exist in countries that have monarchies, dictatorships, or other forms of government.