Define government.  Government as an academic field of study.

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yamaguchityler's profile pic

yamaguchityler | Student, Undergraduate | (Level 2) Assistant Educator

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Defining government as an academic study requires multiple descriptions. Depending on what type of education is being taught (middle school, high school, undergraduate, graduate school, etc), the subject and content being taught will vary significantly. However, regardless of where or what is being taught, the academic field of study will always include how a country/state governs its citizens, manages the finances, works for the people, looks to grow, enforces the law, provides a foundation for businesses, controls borders, elects officials, settle disputes, and many more actions.

Whether the study of government looks at the political side of things (such as electing mayors, governors, the president, etc.), or looks at the action the government takes (spending tax money, providing healthcare, etc.), every individual needs to know the importance and role the government plays within a country and community.  

akannan's profile pic


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As a field of study, government explores many aspects of the human condition.  It examines the notion of freedom, collectivity, liberty, justice, as well as how individuals interact within one another when their interests are at stake.  In the academic world, the study of government an take some divergent paths.  One such path is political science, which helps to analyze the study of government in a form that seeks to analyze the institutional hermeneutics of governing structures.  Political theory is another branch of the study of government from a conceptual point of view.  It seeks to analyze how different thinkers conceived of government in a theoretical point of view and contrasts these different understandings.

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