What governments can do政府的功能
Governments provide public services like healthcare and education
They support people who are living in poverty or unable to work
Governments raise money by taxing working people
They can spend money on resources and campaigns
They can introduce new laws
They can impose taxes
They can raise peoples awareness of issues (e.g climate change/healthy eating)
They can influence peoples habits and opinions
They can create jobs
They can regulate the activities of companies such as banks
They can provide resources for schools
They are also responsible for the security and well-being of their citizens They control armed forces and police forces
Public services公共服务
Governments pay the salaries of public sector workers like police officers and teachers
The necessary money is raised by taxing peoples income
Free education and healthcare may be provided by the state
Some governments control public transport systems and even TV channels
In other countries, these services are provided by private companies
Some people believe that competition between private companies is good
It helps to improve quality while bringing prices down
Other people think that essential services should be free
Governments should pay for them
Censorship: Opinion审查：观点
Governments can censor what public sees or reads in the media
To a certain extent censorship is necessary
We should use censorship to protect children from violent images
Some computer games involve killing people or committing crimes
The Internet also needs to be controlled
Many websites show pornography and violence
There should be age limits for websites and computers games
Parents need to take responsibility for checking what their children watch
It is impossible for governments to control everything we see
Video cameras in public places公共场所监控
The use of CCTV is becoming widespread
Video cameras have been installed in many public places
They are supposed to protect us and deter criminals
Many people think that this surveillance violates our privacy
The authorities could build databases with our pictures and identities
We should not be treated like criminals
Smart cards: Positives
Governments will probably introduce a digital identification card system
Smart cards will have benefits and drawbacks
They could help to reduce crime
They could hold personal information, such as DNA
Digital bank cards could contain fingerprint information
It would be very difficult for criminals to use a stolen card
It would be easier for police to identify people and catch criminals
Smart cards: Negatives智能卡：优点
Many people are worried about losing their privacy
Governments could store all our personal and medical information
This information could be used by insurance companies
Employers could check our health records
People with Disabilities智能卡：缺点
People with disabilities should be treated the same as everybody else
They should have the same rights as other people
They should have access to the same jobs as other citizens
Discriminations against disabled people is illegal in many countries
Ramps and lifts for wheelchairs should be installed in public buildings
Support teacher can be employed to help children with learning difficulties