1. The Institution:
* This refers to the formal organization that rules a country or state. This includes the people who hold power (like the president, prime minister, or members of parliament), the institutions they work within (like the courts, police force, and bureaucracy), and the laws and policies they enact.
2. The Act of Governing:
* This describes the process of making and enforcing laws, collecting taxes, providing public services, and ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens.
3. The System of Governance:
* This refers to the general way in which a country is ruled, including its political system (like democracy, monarchy, or dictatorship), its structure of government (like federal or unitary), and its principles of governance (like separation of powers or rule of law).
4. The Governing Body:
* Sometimes, "government" can be used to refer to a specific group of people in charge, like "The government announced a new policy."
In essence, "government" refers to the organization and process by which a society is ruled and managed. It's the entity that sets the rules, makes decisions, and provides essential services to its citizens.