The Characteristics of Government

By the characteristics of government, we refer to those features, qualities or properties that will enable a government to discharge its functions effectively. This essentially, is different from the functions or duties of government to the state. Thus, the characteristics of government include:

1. 
   The Constitution or the Law: For the effective delivery of good governance, both the government and the governed are expected to operate within the limits of the law of the state. Therefore, the existence of a constitution as the fundamental body of laws tends to regulate the duties, powers and behaviour of the government and at the same time grant some duties and rights on the people of state.
   
2. 
   Political Power: Political power is the ability of a government to use all instrument of coercion of the state to make binding decisions and secure obedience from its citizens. This political power as exercised by the government is derived from the constitution of the state.
   
3. 
   Revenue or Fund: Every government needs money to be able to discharge its assigned duties in the state. Therefore, government must be able to generate enough revenue to provide services for its citizens.
   
4. 
   Public Support: Every government, whether democratic or not needs the support of its people for its existence, survival and effective governance.
   
5. 
   Personnel or Workforce: Government needs and engages services of its citizens in running the affairs of the state. These people are trained experts, professionals or workers that help government to formulate and implement the state policies. Essentially, these are the officials of government called the civil servants.
   
6. 
   Welfare Social Services: The modern-day government is established to serve the collective interest of the people by providing various social-oriented programmes like health, electricity, construction of roads, qualitative education, etc. The provision of these facilities help government to enjoy the support of the people in the state.
   
7. 
   Organs of Government: These are the three principal actors or agents of government responsible for the administration and organization of the state. These organs are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
   
8. 
   Periodic Change: For government to be deeply rooted in democratic principles where the rule of law, probity and public accountability are prevalent, it is suggested that peaceful elections be conducted periodically to oust bad leadership and replace it with a better one. This essentially prevents tyranny or dictatorship and life rule.