Authorities {government}| make and administer laws and have political offices.
authority
Governments need legitimate claims to authority.
comparative government
Governments differ in leaders, economic systems, political rights, and ideology.
consent to have government
Government assumes that society's people consent to state or community polity, voluntarily, knowledgeably, and decisively. Communities have allegiance oaths. People consent if they vote or do not leave. However, most people do not realize they consented. Perhaps, one's ancestors consented to losing some rights to gain security or other rights {social contract theory}, and people today honor that contract. Freely entered unwritten agreements to exchange something for something else, for mutual benefit, can be bases for social organizations. Democratic societies in which people are free and equal can depend on social contracts. However, most people are not aware of such contracts. Most likely, citizens have formed citizenship habits by socialization.
law
Law is not just ruler decrees. People that have obligations under law must have consented to laws. Laws can be good and correct for situations and participants. Laws can be unjust. Laws can be forms of force. Laws can be for community good, not for rulers. Will and reason make and obey laws. Legal decisions use legal and cultural history, morals, and current facts to interpret law.
types
Political-system classifications depend on location, geographical area, population, legal system, legal code, ethical codes, religious codes, or wealth. Political systems depend on who rules.
Social Sciences>Political Science>Government
6-Political Science-Government
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Date Modified: 2022.0224