Government is the system by which a society organizes itself and allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals that are beyond the scope of individuals, such as economic prosperity, secure national borders, the safety and security of citizens, and the provision of benefits to its people. Governments are found in all countries around the world and may take many forms, from a simple village council to a complex parliamentary democracy. Governments have a number of responsibilities and powers that are necessary for the functioning of a society, such as laws, taxes, military forces, and systems of justice. Governments also provide a place for citizens to express their opinions through elections, freedom of speech and press, and other mechanisms.
Government agencies are the branches of a government that perform specific functions. In the United States, these include cabinet-level departments and sub-units, such as the Department of Energy and the Internal Revenue Service. Cabinet departments are headed by a secretary, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Often, these heads of departments oversee large networks of offices and divisions that work together to achieve the department’s mission-oriented goals.
In addition to providing jobs for Americans, the federal government also provides vital services. This includes the protection of its citizens from attack, education, healthcare, and an infrastructure for transportation. These services cannot be provided by private businesses because the market usually does not provide them in sufficient quantity or at low enough costs to meet everyone’s needs. In the case of protecting the nation from attack, it is impossible for private companies to build or maintain an army that is able to protect against such a threat.
The federal government is also responsible for maintaining an economy that is competitive with the rest of the world, and it has a variety of ways in which it does this, such as granting tax breaks and investing in research and development. It is also the only entity that has the power to make decisions regarding international commerce, to declare war, and to compel citizens to pay taxes.
Some people think that the government is too big and needs to be reformed, while others feel that it should be eliminated altogether. Whatever the individual views about government, it is important for citizens to have access to information about how decisions are made in the federal government. This can be done through a variety of means, including a wiki and an open government website.
Working for the federal government is a wonderful opportunity for those who have a passion for serving their fellow citizens and the country as a whole. Federal jobs offer valuable experience, excellent salaries, and outstanding benefits. The qualifications for a government job vary, but in general, a person must have a squeaky clean background and a strong drive to excel at his or her position.