A government is an agency or organization of people governed by a government code, usually a constitution. Governments form to protect the society and citizens from abuses in power. All governments try to serve their people although some are representative of a single political party (repudiation) while others are elected through universal suffrage (popular election). The most powerful governments are ruled by a centralized executive (headquarters) and a central legislature (parliament). All other bodies of government are ruled indirectly by parlia-mutuel offices, also known as provincial assemblies.
democracy is defined by Wikipedia as “the system in which elected officials participate in a system of communal consent to make decisions that affect the public.” It is a political theory that regards the formation of a democratic political culture as necessary for the workings of society. For an elected official to be effective, they must be responsive to the will of the people and be subject to accountability. They must not act in the interests of a private or elite group rather than the interests of the public at large. A true democracy ensures that government decisions are made by the masses at their polls rather than by a small group of powerful people, which represents only a chosen few. To further complicate matters, when a country has more than one type of democracy, each type is regarded as valid in its own right.
Contrary to what most would believe, a truly democratic government doesn’t have classes of citizens or wages that are paid according to wealth. In fact, in most European countries, the word “democrat” means “common man.” This is because a true democratic government provides equal opportunities to all citizens regardless of their background, and because the political systems are based on notions of human rights and freedom, including those of economic freedom.
In contrast, a socialist economy privileges the growth of private property over that of public goods. Property can be owned by a group or individuals but it is ensured by heavy taxation. An economy based on public goods – like healthcare and education – guarantees the basic needs of its citizens. In a socialist economy, the poor are forced to buy government-produced goods at high prices.
The three different types of government include absolute monarchy, representative democracy, and representative aristocracy. Absolute monarchy is ruled by a single hereditary king or queen, who appoints the prime minister and members of the council. Representative democracy is also known as proportional representation where each citizen votes for representatives to get different types of governmental commissions. Finally, an aristocratic government is ruled by a hereditary noble family who lives among the people. It is ruled by a king or queen, who lives in a palatial estate known as a dame, surrounded by servants and a small bureaucracy.
Underpinning any of these systems is a highly developed economy that depends on commerce, industry, and technology. Because of this, a viable economic system needs to make laws that protect both the public good and the progress of business. As it is, business leaders often can get away with charging too much for goods and services, while voters cannot. Therefore, laws are passed that regulate businesses to make sure they do not bankrupt the nation. By providing citizens with economic opportunities and better living standards, a socialist economy encourages growth and development – both economic and social.