Institutes of Society: Government

1. Institutes of Society: Government

2. The Role of Government in Society • Government influences all parts of lives (bank, taxes, police, streets). • Government is responsible for keeping order in a society, but sometimes people don’t like laws that they see as wrong (speeding limits, seat belts). • What are some way government influences us?

3. The main source of revenue (money) for the federal government is income tax. It makes up 48% of their money. • With income tax money the government pays for things such as roads, welfare, employment insurance, old pension, healthcare, etc. • What are other services government provides?

4. Governments have taken over some things that used to be the responsibility of the family. • Schools are now run by the government and include Drivers Education and Family Life Education. • Older people are often placed into retirement homes that are partly paid for by the government.

5. Customs vs. Laws • Customs are practices that are considered the norm. When people don’t follow a custom, the society will often enforce the custom. • Laws are customs that are enforced by the government. • Eg: There was a time when abuse of family members was not formally written into law. Family abuse was not a custom, but it was taken care of within the family or neighbourhood. Now abuse is illegal and family services will investigate abuse. • Laws are governmental control over the people in a society. The government in Canada has the power to make laws and enforce them because they have authority and power.

6. Functions of Government • To make laws so society can run smoothly. • To maintain public order by setting up courts with judges who hand out punishment to lawbreakers. • To make laws on buying and selling of property and contacts. • To protect the rights of all citizens in freedom of movement, speech, religion, and vote. • To make laws that reflect society’s values.