Governments are responsible for a wide range of tasks, and as a result they employ a large number of people. They provide essential services like schools, police departments, roads and hospitals. They also regulate and enforce laws. They can also protect common goods, which are resources that everyone needs but which are in limited supply (like fish in the ocean and clean air).
Government is a broad category of institutions with many different structures and functions. It encompasses different kinds of decision-making processes and systems, such as rule making, enforcement and evaluation. Theorist Robert Sternberg has based his thinking style theory on a governmental metaphor and has defined two major functions, four major forms, three basic levels, and two core leanings of governmentality.
The United States government has a legislative branch—the congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives—and an executive branch, which includes the president and the Cabinet. There is a judicial branch, as well, which reviews legal cases and interprets the laws. Citizens are represented by representatives, who are elected through free and confidential ballots.
Government employees typically enjoy greater job security than private sector workers. This is because most government jobs include a pension or retirement package, which will ensure you receive a livable income for the rest of your life. This type of benefit is becoming increasingly rare in the private sector. Government work can be stressful, however, because of the slow-moving bureaucracy. Additionally, the pay scale is highly transparent and there’s no room for salary negotiations, which can lead to employee dissatisfaction.
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