ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the background of growth in government; beginning with the American Revolution, which itself was a consequence of government to Great Britain's, those imposines oppressive rules on the new American colonies to benefit the powerful and rich back home. The eight roles of government that most affect business are provider of monetary and fiscal structure, provider of infrastructure, purchaser, regulator of business, social architect, service provider, safeguard against risk and promoter of business. These eight different roles of government were introduced over time and expanded at different rates and some of the roles that government plays are under more pressure to be reduced or changed (or rightsized) than others. The chapter examines five historical periods namely the anti-central government era, the small government era, the moderate-sized government era, the big government era, and the rightsizing government era using the eight roles.
