Final answer:
The answer to whether a government is the ruling authority for a community is true. Governments have the unique authority to enforce laws and decisions and can vary in form, reflecting the values and structure favored by its citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a government is the ruling authority for a community is true. A government consists of the institutions and individuals who have the recognized authority to create and enforce laws and make decisions on behalf of the citizens within a defined geographic area. People establish governments and are the ultimate source of its powers, directing the government on what actions to take rather than being controlled by it. This dynamic indicates the essential role that populations play in defining and shaping the governance of their society. Furthermore, it's critical to understand that governments can take various forms, such as monarchies or democracies, each having its own structure of power and authority within a society.
Throughout history, governments have evolved to meet the needs of their populations, embodying different ideologies and power structures. In its modern conception, the institution of government wields the unique ability to use coercive power within its territory, which could manifest in many forms, from a police state to a welfare state, depending on the balance of power and the social contract between the government and its people. Indeed, without a government, a societal structure would lack the necessary organized authority to provide security, impose order, and guide community action towards common goals and benefits.