1

RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENTPrepared by Sandrea Butcher

2Activity 1

1. You will be shown five slides which depict the responsibilities of government.

2. Determine the responsibility of government that you believe is depicted.

3

Number 1

4Number 2

5Number 3

JOB

&

SOCIAL

6

Number 4

7

Number 5

Of

Num

ber

6

9Answers

1. National Security2. Protection and welfare of citizens3. Job security and social security4. Environmental protection5. Security for investors6. Regulation of business activity in terms of providing

clear guidelines as how to set up businesses

10

National Security

1. According to www.dictionary.com national security is “a collective term for the defense and foreign relations of a country, protection of the interests of a country”.

2. This responsibility includes:• protection from internal and external aggressors• maintaining law and order• managing natural disasters

Coup d’etat

• Countries have state agencies to provide national security such as:

• Defence Forces• Coast Guards• Police Forces• Courts (judiciary)

Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard Supreme Court, Guyana

Royal St Lucia Police Force Air Wing, Jamaica Defence Force

Protection and welfare of citizens

• Increasing the welfare of citizens is important for a stable society.

• Some citizens will not have the means to afford goods and services to increase welfare

• To increase welfare, governments provide:• housing • education• healthcare

• welfare/social protection services• sporting facilities• cultural facilities

Kim Collins Athletic Stadium, St Kitts

Job security and social security

• One of the goals of government is to have high employment levels.

• Domestic production would increase, and revenues (tax and non-tax) would be raised.

• Workers need protection, since the main goal of firms is profit. The firms would cut cost by any means necessary.

• Job security is facilitated via labour legislation. Issues include issuing of contracts, vacation with pay and notice of dismissal.

• When there is an interruption of work National Insurance Schemes provide benefits for workers

Environmental protection

• The earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. Many of our Caribbean islands are much younger.

• Individuals are driven by self interest and will not look after the environment in their pursuit of higher incomes and profits.

• Modern consumption and production processes cause air, water and noise pollution.

• They have resulted in climate change and the warming of the planet.

• Many of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs and these reefs are not healthy.

• Governments are responsible for protecting the environment. This can done by:• passing legislation to protect flora and fauna• enforcing international rules

Pigeon Island National Park, St Lucia

Folkstone Marine Park, Barbados

Kaieteur National Park, Guyana

Security for investors• Investors can be locals or foreigners.• They finance businesses and purchase assets such as real

estate.• If there is no protection they would not invest in the

economy.

Regulation of business activity in terms of providing clear guidelines as how to set up businesses

• Governments set rules so that businesses do not have unfair advantages over others.

• These rules include:• Areas where certain firms can set up• Licenses for importing certain raw materials/goods• Registration of certain types of businesses (limited liability

companies)• Payment of taxes and other statutory deductions

24

Questions1. Identify FIVE responsibilities of government.

(5)2. Describe one way in which the government in your

country is active in each of the areas identified above.

(10)