A discussion on the responsibilities of government (Caribbean)

1. RESPONSIBILITIES
OF GOVERNMENT
Prepared by Sandrea Butcher
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2. Activity 1
1. You will be shown five slides which depict the
responsibilities of government.
2. Determine the responsibility of government that you
believe is depicted.
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3. Number 1
3

4. Number 2 4

5. Number 3 5
JOB
&
SOCIAL

6. Number 4
6

7. Number 5
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8. Of
Number6

9. Answers
1. National Security
2. Protection and welfare of citizens
3. Job security and social security
4. Environmental protection
5. Security for investors
6. Regulation of business activity in terms of providing
clear guidelines as how to set up businesses
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10. National Security
1. According to www.dictionary.com national security is
“a collective term for the defense and foreign relations
of a country, protection of the interests of a country”.
2. This responsibility includes:
• protection from internal and external aggressors
• maintaining law and order
• managing natural disasters
Coup d’etat
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11. • Countries have state agencies to provide national security
such as:
• Defence Forces
• Coast Guards
• Police Forces
• Courts (judiciary)

12. Trinidad and Tobago Coast
Guard Supreme Court, Guyana
Royal St Lucia Police Force Air Wing, Jamaica Defence
Force

13. Protection and welfare of
citizens
• Increasing the welfare of citizens is important for a stable
society.
• Some citizens will not have the means to afford goods
and services to increase welfare

14. • To increase welfare, governments provide:
• housing
• education
• healthcare

15. • welfare/social protection services
• sporting facilities
• cultural facilities
Kim Collins Athletic
Stadium, St Kitts

16. Job security and social security
• One of the goals of government is to have high
employment levels.
• Domestic production would increase, and revenues (tax
and non-tax) would be raised.
• Workers need protection, since the main goal of firms is
profit. The firms would cut cost by any means necessary.

17. • Job security is facilitated via labour legislation. Issues
include issuing of contracts, vacation with pay and notice
of dismissal.
• When there is an interruption of work National Insurance
Schemes provide benefits for workers

18. Environmental protection
• The earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. Many of
our Caribbean islands are much younger.
• Individuals are driven by self interest and will not look
after the environment in their pursuit of higher incomes
and profits.

19. • Modern consumption and production processes cause air,
water and noise pollution.
• They have resulted in climate change and the warming of
the planet.
• Many of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs and
these reefs are not healthy.

20. • Governments are responsible for protecting the
environment. This can done by:
• passing legislation to protect flora and fauna
• enforcing international rules
Pigeon Island National Park, St
Lucia
Folkstone Marine Park,
Barbados

21. Kaieteur National Park,
Guyana

22. Security for investors
• Investors can be locals or foreigners.
• They finance businesses and purchase assets such as real
estate.
• If there is no protection they would not invest in the
economy.

23. Regulation of business activity in terms of providing
clear guidelines as how to set up businesses
• Governments set rules so that businesses do not have
unfair advantages over others.
• These rules include:
• Areas where certain firms can set up
• Licenses for importing certain raw materials/goods
• Registration of certain types of businesses (limited liability
companies)
• Payment of taxes and other statutory deductions

24. Questions
1. Identify FIVE responsibilities of government.
(5)
2. Describe one way in which the government in your
country is active in each of the areas identified above.
(10)
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