Government

A government is an entity that has the authority to make and enforce laws within a geopolitical boundary. Governments are established by a set of penultimate norms, also known as constitutions. In the American system of democracy, some laws are created by representatives. Around the world and throughout history, there have been many types of governments.

Types of Government

• Aristocracy
• Confederacy
• Democracy
• Dictatorship
• Meritocracy
• Monarchy
• Oligarchy
• Plutocracy
• Socialist State
• Theocracy

Action of government

Some actions of government are direct, for example, the president may order troops to invade a country. Or Congress may declare war on a country. Or the Supreme Court may render a decision, reversing the order of a lower count. In these cases, there is no question that the government is taking action and intervening in human affairs, i.e., that it is "governing".

But there is no bright line of separation between government and "the things that government sponsors". If the government pays for something, such as a private corporation it charters, then the actions of that corporation are under the control of the government to a certain extent.

That's why there was a backlash against the Boy Scouts getting benefits from the government, such as the use of schools, military bases, etc. "Follow the money" is the watchword of those who are tracing the effects of government policy. In sum, if you fund it, you own it.