Below are the major Characteristics/Features and Functions of the Government in a State
Characteristics of Government
1. Constitution– This is a major characteristic of a government. The government make a set of agreed rules which guides it in the administration of the state.
2. Periodic Change– A government is meant to change after a specific period of time. No government is permanent, particularly a democratic or elective government which changes through periodic election.
3. Legitimacy– A government must enjoy the support of the people.
4. Revenue– The government make revenue in different ways to enhance its administration
5. Political Power– The government must posses political power which is a tool of rooting orderliness in a state.
6. Universality of Government’s reach– The jurisdiction of the government must reach or extend to everyone within the state.
7. Public Institutions– The institutions comprising the government of a political society, differ from the other institutions within the society.
Functions Of Government
The government of a state owe allegiance to the state itself and its citizens as well. If a government fails to do its functions in a state, the citizens can request for the replacement of such government in as much Democracy is in practice.
Below are the functions/ duties of a government on a state.
1. Law Making
2. Military defence of the country
3. Provision of employment
4. Maintenance of law and order
5. Promotion of economic growth and development
6. Maintaining good relations with other sovereign states or countries (foreign diplomacy)
7. Protection of civil liberties
8. Protection of lives and properties
9. Administration of justice
10. Formulation and implementation of policies
11. Provision of social-welfare services
Reference-
* C. C. Dibie; Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools; 3rd edition; Lagos; Tonad Publishers; 2008
Please, kindly drop a comment below if you find this helpful or you have a question.
OldNaija 
I am highly greetfull for all this I have been leading from it but I still need the main answer to this
Revenue
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Okay.
The government of a state need money to ehance its functions in the state which basically include provision of social amenities, protecting its citizens and paying worker’s salaries. The government then has to create ways of making revenue from its jurisdiction and these ways include taxation, tourism, exportation and so on. I hope I have answered your question, Mr. Samuel Obinna. Thank you for your visit. Kindly do check back.
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WHY NOT YOU EXPLAIN THE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
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They are simple and clear enough. We don’t think they need further explanation. Thank you for your visit, Dawam Nahshon. Kindly do check back.
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We have three arms of government, in Nigeria I was expecting you tell us how they perform, their duties
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We did but in a different post. Check it @ https://oldnaija.com/2016/08/10/the-definitions-of-government/
Thank you, Mr. Austin Chucks. Kindly do check back.
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plz i need the features of government
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can you guide for the next jamb sir, I need your help
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I’ll surely be glad to do that, Adeyemi.
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love it improving our education
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We’re glad you love it, dear Horlah Gold. Thanks for visiting and kindly do visit again.
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pls,is government a science or art?
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Thank for your best answer
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You’re welcome, Mr. Ishaq Umar. Kindly do visit again
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Are government performing their function?
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Generally, yes they are; in Nigeria, not really. Thanks for visiting, Oluwatoyin. Kindly do visit again
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