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Concept
Public service
Summary
A public service or service of general (economic) interest is any service intended to address specific needs pertaining to the aggregate members of a community. Public services are available to people within a government jurisdiction as provided directly through public sector agencies or via public financing to private businesses or voluntary organizations (or even as provided by family households, though terminology may differ depending on context). Other public services are undertaken on behalf of a government's residents or in the interest of its citizens. The term is associated with a social consensus (usually expressed through democratic elections) that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income, physical ability or mental acuity. Examples of such services include the fire brigade, police, air force, and paramedics (see also public service broadcasting).
Even where public services are neither publicly provided nor publicly financed, they are usually subject to regulation going beyond that applying to most economic sectors for social and political reasons. Public policy, when made in the public's interest and with its motivations, is a type of public service. Public services are free services.
In modern developed countries, the term "public services" (or "services of general interest") often includes:
Courts
Education
Electricity
Emergency services
Environmental protection
Health care
Mail
Military
Public buildings
Public libraries
Public parks
Public policy
Public utilities
Public transportation
Social services
State schools
Telecommunications
Transportation infrastructure
Urban planning
Waste management
Water supply network
Public administration
Public services can be constructed, coordinated and operated in many ways or forms. They include government agencies, independent state-funded institutes, government-coordinated organizations, civil society, militaries and volunteers.
Government agencies are not profit-oriented and their employees are often motivated differently.
Official source
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