Explain what is meant by Government as an academic field of study.

Government as an academic field of study

As an academic field of study, Government is a branch of the social sciences that systematically studies the state, its institutions, and the way power and authority are acquired, organised, exercised and controlled in society.

In this sense, Government examines:

• The state and its origin, nature and purpose;
• The institutions of government, that is the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, and how they function;
• The processes by which political power is gained and used, such as elections, political parties, pressure groups and public opinion;
• The relationship between the government and the citizens, including rights, duties and the rule of law;
• The relationship between one state and others (international relations).

Studied this way, Government is closely related to Political Science; it is taught in schools and colleges, has its own concepts, theories and methods of enquiry, and equips the student to understand and participate intelligently in the political life of his society. It is therefore both a body of organised knowledge and a discipline that can be researched, taught and examined.