Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Recall Thomas Hobbes' grim view of humans when ungoverned by a central authority.
Maintaining social peace is perhaps the fundamental purpose of government. The US
Constitution's preamble refers to this function specifically when it declares its intent to
"ensure domestic tranquility," an elegant phrase to describe the government's role as
society's policeman.
Prevent Externalities
Functions of Government
In trying to "form a more perfect Union," the Framers of the Constitution spelled out several
key functions government must perform. This activity tests your knowledge about the
functions of government.