Public service  

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Public service is a service which is provided by government to people living within its jurisdiction, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus (usually expressed through democratic elections) that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income. Even where public services are neither publicly provided nor publicly financed, for social and political reasons they are usually subject to regulation going beyond that applying to most economic sectors. Public policy when made in the public's interest and motivations can provide public services. Public service is also a course that can be studied at a college and/or university. Examples of public services are the fire brigade, police, air force, and paramedics.

Sectors

Public services are seen as so important that for moral reasons their universal provision should be guaranteed. They may be associated with fundamental human rights (such as the right to water). The Volunteer Fire Dept. and Ambulance Corps. are institutions with the mission of servicing the community. A service is helping others with a specific need or want. Here, service ranges from a doctor curing an illness, to a repair person, to a food pantry.

In modern developed countries, the term "public services" (or "services of general interest") often includes:

• Electricity
• Education
• Emergency services, (Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, etc...)
• Environmental protection
• Gas and oil
• Health care
• Military
• Postal service
• Public broadcasting
• Public library
• Public security
• Public transportation
• Public housing
• State schools, known as "public schools" in many countries, but not all.
• Social services
• Telecommunications
• Town planning
• Transportation
• Waste management
• Water supply network

See also

• Good governance
• Right to Public Services legislation
• Certificate of public convenience and necessity
• CEEP European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation and of Enterprises of General Economic Interest
• Infrastructure
• New Public Management
• United Nations Public Service Awards
• VÖWG Austrian Association for Public and Social Economy