Government, in its simplest meaning, is the control of public affairs of a country. Generally, government is defined in three perspectives:
- as in institution of the state.
- as an art of governing.
- as a recognized filed of academic study.
GOVERNMENT AS AN INSTITUTION OF THE STATE:
Government can be defined as an agency or institution of the state which is responsible for making and enforcing laws and/or attaining the goals and aspirations of a state. It is machinery through which the will and aspirations of a state are achieved.
Government as an art of governing: In this sense, government is used to describe the activities of those people charged with the duty of governing, that is, the three organs/arms of government responsible for policy formulation and implementation.
GOVERNMENT AS AN ACADEMIC FIELD OF STUDY:
Government can also be described as an academic field of study in the discipline of political science, which teaches the organizational structure of a particular government in a state and its governing principles.