The first function of government is to:

• A. Maintain order
• B. Provide services
• C. Resolve conflict
• D. Promote values

Answer: (A)

Establishing a stable, law-governed environment is the starting point for government action. Maintaining order means creating and enforcing laws, ensuring public safety, and providing a predictable framework in which people can live, work, and interact. This foundation is what makes all other government activities possible: once order is in place, services can be delivered reliably, disputes can be resolved through established institutions, and shared values can be promoted within a functioning system. Without order, chaos undermines every other function, so maintaining order is the essential first step.