Question

What are the two fundamental functions all governments must perform? Discuss.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• List the two fundamental functions of government.
• Briefly discuss what it entails.

Solution:
In any country, the government has two fundamental types of functions, i.e.

1. Defending its territory and maintaining harmony in the society, and
2. Providing its citizens with basic facilities to ensure the nation's development.
   The first function of the government is to protect the country from external and internal threats alike. Here, an external threat can be in the form of aggression by other countries or even a war. Whereas, an internal threat to a country may include armed rebellion or riots.

The second function, that is, ensuring the nation's development and betterment of its citizens is a monumental one.

For this, an administrative system is developed, which we also call ‘civil services.’

This administrative system, as we now know it, is bureaucracy.

It is composed of people who possess the expertise and are highly efficient in dispensing their duties.