Social Studies

Society and
Governance
Group Members: Amayah Jagmohan,
Leona Robinson and Kencea Wintz
 Contents of Presentation
Functions of Government
01 Economic, Social Services,
Infrastructural System,
Security, International
Relations, Regulatory The Relationship between Citizens and
02 Governments as Stated in the Constitution
• Definition of terms and concepts
such as: constitution, democracy,
authoritarian
• Human rights, freedoms and
responsibilities
• Right to Vote
• Role of the Ombudsman and other
regulatory authorities
Functions of Government
A good government manages the affairs of
a country to enable the best possible
standard of living for its citizens. This
means placing restrictions and
expectations on citizens as well as
providing services to them.
 Functions of Government
Governments have some major functions, including:
 Create Employment: Governments create jobs through public service, including
1. ECONOMIC health, protective services, and teaching. They also manage state enterprises in
transportation, communication, and utilities to provide services and employment.
Investment in infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals also generates jobs.
Governments support private sector employment through growth policies and incentives
such as subsidies for local production and loans for farmers, while taxing imported
competitive goods heavily.

 Raises Revenue and Manages Finances: Raising and securing government

revenue requires careful management and monitoring. This is achieved through
government fiscal policy. A government will also have a monetary policy that seeks to
control the supply of money within a country, thereby managing things like inflation.

 The government should manage national debt effectively and meet fiscal sustainability
goals.

 The government should manage and maintain relationships with international and
regional financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
Inter- American Development Bank.
  Budget:
1. ECONOMIC
• A government is required to create a budget that outlines how revenue will be raised
and spent:.

• A government must decide how it will raise and spend revenue.

• A government should control the flow of money into and out of a country and the
management of inflation keep a country stable.

• A government must decide how much money to borrow while keeping debt
manageable.

 Taxes: Governments levy taxes to generate revenue that is then spent on behalf of
the country’s citizens, such as on health care or education. Taxes are raised in two
ways:

• Direct Taxation: imposed at the source, such as stamp duty and income tax.

• Proper Taxation: on goods and services, such as consumption tax, VAT, and
airport duty.
  Governments offer social services to enhance citizen welfare and stability. These
11. Social encompass healthcare, education, housing, and welfare assistance, mitigating
poverty, enhancing public health, fostering equality, and driving economic growth.
Services Absence of these services may lead to social unrest, reduced productivity, and strain
on public resources. Social service provision fosters a fairer and more prosperous
society.

 The government constructs infrastructure to support economic development, ensure

111. public safety, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens. Here are some
important reasons why government investment in infrastructure is required:
Infrastructural
system • Economic Growth: Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, and airports is
critical for the movement of goods and passengers. They facilitate trade, commerce,
and industry, thereby boosting economic growth and creating jobs.

• Connectivity: Infrastructure links communities, regions, and countries, promoting

social cohesion and integration. People can better access opportunities, services, and
resources thanks to accessible transportation networks and communication systems.

• Public Safety: Well-maintained infrastructure, such as safe roads and bridges,

reduces the likelihood of accidents and disasters, thereby improving public safety.
Infrastructure includes essential services like water supply, sanitation, and flood
control, which mitigate health risks and protect communities from natural disasters.
 • Quality of Life: Infrastructure investments in public transportation, parks, and
111. recreational facilities help residents live better lives. They provide access to amenities,
encourage physical activity, and help to ensure environmental sustainability.
Infrastructural
system • Long-Term Planning: Governments play an important role in long-term
infrastructure planning and investment because private sector incentives do not
always align with broader societal needs. Government intervention ensures that
infrastructure projects serve the public interest while also addressing collective
challenges like climate change and urbanization.

 Maintain Law and Order: Laws protect citizens' rights, maintain societal order,
1v. Security define acceptable behavior, and enforce consequences for violations, ensuring peace,
stability, and justice. Governments play a vital role in upholding laws, including
updating them as needed to discourage crimes.

 Defend the Nation State: Protective services, including police, fire, and armed
forces, safeguard citizens' safety, rights, and property. The police ensure citizens'
rights to life, liberty, security, and privacy are upheld. Fire services protect life and
property, while armed forces defend the nation's sovereignty from internal and
external threats. Government's defense function encompasses various categories such
as:

• National Security: Governments safeguard the nation-state against external

threats like military aggression, terrorism, and espionage by developing strategies,
allocating resources, and maintaining armed forces to protect sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
 • Diplomacy: Governments conduct diplomacy with other nations to cultivate
1v. Security alliances, negotiate treaties, and peacefully resolve conflicts. Diplomacy is essential
for averting full-scale warfare, fostering international cooperation on security
matters, and maintaining peace.

• Military Preparedness: Governments allocate resources to enhance military

capabilities, encompassing personnel, equipment, and technology, to ensure
preparedness for national defense. This involves troop training, weapon system
modernization, and military exercises to sustain operational effectiveness.

• Intelligence Gathering: Governments collect intelligence using diverse methods

to evaluate threats, discern adversaries' intentions, and anticipate security challenges.
Intelligence agencies gather, analyze, and share information to inform national
security policies and decision-making processes.

• Strategic Planning: Governments formulate enduring defense strategies and

contingency plans to tackle evolving security threats and challenges. They evaluate
geopolitical shifts, technological progress, and emerging risks to adjust military
capabilities and defense stance accordingly.

• Civil Defence: Governments implement safeguards to protect civilians and vital

infrastructure during crises or conflicts. This involves emergency response planning,
disaster preparedness, and initiatives to enhance resilience, aiming to minimize the
impact of security threats on society.
  Globalization underscores the importance of inter-country cooperation. Governments
v. Maintains establish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and appoint Ambassadors worldwide to foster
trade, tourism, and mutually beneficial foreign investments. Strong international
International relations can also garner support during natural disasters. Additionally, exchange
programs among institutions of higher learning facilitate exposure to modern
Relations technology.

 The government serves as a regulatory body in areas of media, trade, and utilities by
v1. Regulatory the following ways:

• Media Regulation: Governments implement laws and regulations to govern the

media industry, aiming to uphold ethical standards, encourage diversity, and
safeguard freedom of expression. Regulatory bodies oversee content, issue licenses,
and enforce broadcasting standards while addressing concerns like media ownership
concentration, censorship, and the dissemination of misinformation, fostering a fair
and transparent media landscape.

• Trade Regulation: Governments create trade policies and regulations to

streamline commerce, manage international trade relations, and shield domestic
industries. Regulatory bodies may levy tariffs, quotas, and trade barriers to oversee
imports and exports, guarantee product safety, and uphold trade accords. They also
combat unfair trade practices, uphold intellectual property rights, and enforce
international trade laws to foster equitable competition and stimulate economic
advancement.
 • Utilities Regulation: Governments oversee utilities like electricity, water,
v1. regulatory telecommunications, and transportation to guarantee accessible, reliable, and
sustainable services for consumers. Regulatory bodies supervise pricing, quality
standards, infrastructure development, and service provision to enhance efficiency,
accessibility, and environmental sustainability. They also monitor industry
competition, counteract monopoly power, and safeguard consumer rights through
regulatory oversight and enforcement measures.

 In each of these areas, the government aims to balance competing interests,

promote public welfare, and address market failures to achieve broader societal
objectives. Regulatory frameworks evolve in response to changing economic,
technological, and social dynamics, reflecting ongoing efforts to adapt to
emerging challenges and opportunities in media, trade, and utilities sectors.
 Relationship between Citizens and
Governments As stated in the
constitution
The most important part of any democracy is the
constitution. That sets out how the state is to be
governed. If the constitution is in itself unfair there
will be no good government. When a constitution has
been accepted as fair, the citizen’s major duty is to
ensure that no elected government changes it to make
it unfair.
 Definition of Terms
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles according to which a country is
1. Constitution governed and which includes laws and guidelines that ensure that the constitution is
upheld. The constitution is the supreme law of Commonwealth Caribbean countries and
is enforced by the courts. A constitution is a contract between the citizens and
government which outlines:

• The Structure of Government

• The Powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary

• The Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities of Citizens

• The Method of Choosing a Government

• The Conditions of Citizenship

• The Role of the Civil Service

 The system of government in Commonwealth Caribbean countries is democratic. In a
11. democracy, citizens are allowed to put themselves forward as parliamentary candidates
and to freely vote for their representatives from at least two competing parties. Citizens
Democracy can also criticize the government and challenge its decision, as well as being involved in
consultations.

An authoritarian government is one in which decisions are made by an individual

111.Authoritari person or by a small group within the government. Citizens do not have an opportunity
an to participate in government decision- making. Decisions can be made without the
knowledge or consent of the citizens.
Human rights, freedoms & Responsibilities
The constitution plays a crucial role in defining and safeguarding the rights,
freedoms, and responsibilities of citizens. It typically includes fundamental
principles like equality and specific rights such as equal treatment under the law
and freedom of association and religion, often mirroring those outlined in the UN
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In cases of rights violations, the
constitution outlines legal principles and provides recourse to individuals
through the courts to challenge unfair government actions, reflecting a national
commitment to combat prejudice and discrimination. Additionally, it outlines
citizens' duties like paying taxes, serving in the armed forces, and participating in
elections. Furthermore, the constitution typically delineates criteria for
citizenship, which confers nationality and identity, fostering a sense of belonging
and pride in the nation's achievements.
 Right to Vote (adult suffrage)
Adult suffrage, also known as universal suffrage or full suffrage, refers to the
right of all adult citizens within a particular jurisdiction to vote in public
elections. Under adult suffrage, there are typically no discriminatory restrictions
based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or property ownership. Instead,
any citizen who has reached the legal age of adulthood, as defined by the law of
the country or region, is granted the right to participate in the electoral process by
casting their vote for candidates or issues. The concept of adult suffrage is
fundamental to democratic principles, as it ensures that all eligible citizens have
an equal opportunity to participate in shaping their government and influencing
public policy. By allowing every adult citizen to have a voice in the democratic
process, adult suffrage promotes political inclusivity, representation, and
accountability within society.
 Role of the ombudsman
An Ombudsman is an official who is appointed to investigate complaints made
by citizens against public authorities and to ensure that citizens’ interests are not
abused. The ombudsman will investigate any allegations of poor performance of
delays, incompetence, loss of documentation, neglect or discrimination against
any government officials or departments. The ombudsman’s findings are reported
to parliament. The role of the ombudsman also allows for victims of poor
performance, if not illegal, to seek redress in a court. The ombudsman defends
human rights, resolves conflicts between citizens and bureaucracy, and ensures
transparency and good governance.
 End of
presentation