A government is a system or organization that is responsible for governing a community or society. It is typically made up of elected officials or appointed representatives who make decisions and enforce laws and policies for the benefit of the people they govern. Governments can take many different forms, such as democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, or oligarchies, and can operate at the local, regional, national, or international level. The main functions of a government include maintaining law and order, providing public services, managing the economy, and representing the interests of its citizens.