The Government as a Social Institution

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The Government as a Social Institution Name Class Affiliation Instructor Date Meaning of government as a social institution The term institution refers to a mechanism or a form of structure that provides social order in a community. This structure provides social cooperation and order through governing the behaviors of individuals living in a certain locality, or a society (Helsley & Strange, 2000). The reference of the government as an institution is derived from its role of making and enforcing laws in a community as well as placing regulations on the interaction between societies. The government attains the reference as an institution due to its manner of the organization in different arms used in the purpose of administration. It consists of the legislative arm, which is responsible with the process of making laws, executive arm responsible with policy formulation and the judicial arm, whose main function is to monitor the process of the implementation of the law. Importance of government as a social institution Social institutions are important in the society as they are responsible for the eradication of poverty, corruption, illiteracy, pollution and protection of human rights. As a social institution, the government performs an essential function of ensuring that there is order and peaceful co-existence among people living within the society. The government plays a major role of formulating laws that define freedoms and rights of the individual. Through its arms, the government ensures that the residents of the society follow these laws. The government also has a major role of protecting the members of the community (Helsley & Strange, 2000). This role is performed through the provision of security within the society and defense from external attacks. How government as a social institution, affect
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