A government is a body that has the authority to make and the power to enforce laws within a civil, corporate, religious, academic, or other organization or group. In its broadest sense, "to govern" means to administer or supervise, whether over a state, a set group of people, or a collection of assets.

The word government is derived from the Greek Κυβερνήτης (kyvernites), which means "steersman", "governor", "pilot" or "rudder".

Typically, "the government" refers to the executive function. In many countries (particularly those having parliamentary systems), the Government refers to the executive branch of government or a specifically named executive, i.e. the Blair Government (compare to the administration as in the Clinton administration in U.S. usage). The Welsh Assembly Government is the name of the executive branch of Wales, and Scottish Government is the unofficial term to describe the Scottish Executive. In countries using the Westminster system, the party in government will also usually control the legislature.

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NPR Topics: Politics

Week In Politics Reviewed
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500
This week, Republicans took governorships in Virginia and New Jersey, and Democrats won a long-held GOP House seat in New York. Also, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing for a possible health care vote this weekend. E.J. Dionne, of The Washington Post, and David Brooks, of The New York Times, discuss the week in politics.
Ahead Of Debate, Health Care Battle Lines Drawn
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:49:00 -0500
Democratic House leaders are keeping lawmakers in town over the weekend to work on their health care bill. President Obama is expected to rally support on the Hill on Saturday. With every step this legislation takes toward becoming law, the fervor — on both sides — gets stronger.
Jump In Jobless Rate Puts Spotlight On Obama
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:05:00 -0500
News that the jobless rate has crossed the psychologically important 10 percent mark comes in the same week that Democrats suffered a sobering Election Day. Some experts say it dims Democratic prospects not just for 2010 but for the health care vote this weekend.

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