1. Political
Institutions
INSTITUTIONS
Government

2. GOVERNMENT
The most important political institution we have
is GOVERNMENT .
Without GOVERNMENT ,
1. It is difficult for social institutions to continue to
operate control mechanisms
e.g. fulfilment of laws, rules and regulations
safety of citizens, healthy family values

3. GOVERNMENT
In other words, social control has to be backed
up by law and government creates law.

4. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT?
Government is the actions and
decision-making involved in ruling a country
The group of people we call ‘the government’ is
the body given the responsibility of
MAKING, REFINING and ENFORCING the law on
behalf of all the citizens of a country.

5. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT?
 Governments are also involved in the day -to-
day administration of a country through
different ministerial departments.
 In many countries there is a local as well as
national government .
E.g. Trinidad and Tobago and
The United States of America

6. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT?
 Government is also the ‘STATE’
The STATE is the entire system of government
and includes the whole system of prime
minister, members of parliament, civil servants
and judges which is always there whether the
individual minister or judge changes or not.
We expect the state to last forever unless something
disastrous occurs.

7. GOVERNMENT

8. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT?
Government is therefore a body of individuals
with the power and authority to control and
direct the affairs of a society

9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT
The government rules on behalf of society. The
term government implies that there are people
to be governed. A government’s policies should
therefore seek to benefit society as a
whole, while protecting the rights of the
individual.

10. RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT
In most territories of the Caribbean these rights and
responsibilities of the individual or citizen are as follows
1. Protection of life and property 10. Join a Trade Union of
2. Free speech choice
3. Protection against disease
4. Freedom of worship
5. Freedom from false imprisonment
6. Trial by jury
7. Healthful surroundings
8. A good education
9. Earn a living

11. RESPONSIBILITIES TO GOVERNMENT
On the Converse, every citizen has a responsibility or
duty to
1. Obey the law and respect authority
2. Pay taxes
3. Vote in elections
4. Do jury service as required
5. Keep our surroundings healthy
6. Preserve the natural environment
7. Participate in the government of the country

12. GOVERNMENT
1. Identify T WO Characteristics of an institution 2 marks
2. Define EACH of the following terms
a. Government
b. Laws 2 marks
3. Identify two functions of a political institution 2 marks
4. What three responsibilities do Governments
have to the individual 3 marks
5. Give THREE reasons why knowing their Constitutional
rights is important for citizens 6 marks