Administration vs. Government — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
Administration refers to a group or body that manages and directs, often within a government, while Government is a system or institution governing a state, nation, or community.
Difference Between Administration and Government
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Administration typically pertains to a specific group or body that manages, directs, and oversees the day-to-day functions within an organization, including governments. Government, however, encompasses the entire structure, institution, and machinery that runs and governs a state, nation, or community.
While administration can be transient, changing with different leadership or management groups, the government is a more permanent and overarching institution. For instance, a new president might bring in a new administration, but the government remains constant.
Administration is also a term that's not exclusively used in the context of politics or governance. Corporations, educational institutions, and non-profits also have administrations. Government, however, specifically denotes the leadership and institutions responsible for running a state or community.
At a national level, the administration might refer to the executive branch or a particular leadership's tenure. In contrast, the government would encompass all branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) and their functions.
One can think of the government as the entire orchestra, with all its sections and players, while the administration is like the conductor and the team chosen to lead for a particular season.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Specific group or body managing
Entire system governing a state or community
Duration
Can be transient, changes with leadership
More permanent structure
Usage
Found in corporations, schools, etc.
Specifically denotes state or community leadership
Part of
Can be a part of a government
Can encompass various administrations
Function
Day-to-day management and oversight
Decision-making, law enactment, governance
Compare with Definitions
Administration
The act of managing and directing.
The company praised Lisa for her effective administration of the team.
Government
The body with the authority to make decisions for a society.
The local government has improved public transportation.
Administration
A specific governing body or group.
The current administration is focusing on environmental policies.
Government
The agency or apparatus through which a governing individual or body functions and exercises authority.
Administration
The process or activity of running a business or organization.
His years of experience in business administration make him an asset to the company.
Government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Administration
Execution of public affairs as determined by law or constitution.
The administration of justice is a critical pillar of democracy.
Government
The group of people with the authority to govern a country or state; a particular ministry in office
The government's economic record
Successive Labour governments
Administration
The tenure of an office or position.
During her administration, the mayor achieved numerous milestones.
Government
The relation between a governed and a governing word.
Administration
The process or activity of running a business, organization, etc.
The day-to-day administration of the company
A career in arts administration
Government
The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit.
Administration
The management of public affairs; government
The inhabitants of the island voted to remain under French administration
Government
The office, function, or authority of a governing individual or body.
Administration
The action of dispensing, giving, or applying something
The administration of justice
The oral administration of the antibiotic
Government
Exercise of authority in a political unit; rule.
Administration
The act or process of administering, especially the management of a government or large institution.
Government
The ruling political party or coalition of political parties in a parliamentary system.
Administration
The activity of a government or state in the exercise of its powers and duties.
Government
The cabinet in a parliamentary system.
Administration
The executive branch of a government.
Government
The persons who make up a governing body.
Administration
The group of people who manage or direct an institution, especially a school or college.
Government
A system or policy by which a political unit is governed.
Administration
The term of office of an executive officer or body.
Government
Administration or management of an organization, business, or institution.
Administration
(Law) Management of a trust or estate.
Government
Political science.
Administration
The dispensing, applying, or tendering of something, such as an oath, a sacrament, or medicine.
Government
(Grammar) The influence of a word over the morphological inflection of another word in a phrase or sentence.
Administration
(uncountable) The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction.
Government
The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.
British government has historically centred exclusively on London.
Administration
The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are entrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.
Successive US administrations have had similar Middle East policies.
Government
The relationship between a word and its dependents.
Administration
The country's government under the rule of a particular leader.
The Obama administration
The Duterte administration
Government
The state and its administration viewed as the ruling political power.
If the citizens must follow the law, then the government must follow the constitution.
Administration
(countable) A body that administers; a body of administrators.
Government
(uncountable) The management or control of a system.
Administration
(uncountable) The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation.
The administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.
Oral administration of insulin
Government
The tenure of a chief of state.
Administration
Management.
Government
The act of governing; the exercise of authority; the administration of laws; control; direction; regulation; as, civil, church, or family government.
Administration
An arrangement whereby an insolvent company can continue trading under supervision.
The company went into voluntary administration last week.
Government
The mode of governing; the system of polity in a state; the established form of law.
That free government which we have so dearly purchased, free commonwealth.
Administration
The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction; management.
His financial administration was of a piece with his military administration.
Government
The right or power of governing; authority.
I here resign my government to thee.
Administration
The executive part of government; the persons collectively who are intrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.
A mild and popular administration.
The administration has been opposed in parliament.
Government
The person or persons authorized to administer the laws; the ruling power; the administration.
When we, in England, speak of the government, we generally understand the ministers of the crown for the time being.
Administration
The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation; as, the administration of a medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.
Government
The body politic governed by one authority; a state; as, the governments of Europe.
Administration
The management and disposal, under legal authority, of the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no competent executor.
Government
Management of the limbs or body.
Administration
A method of tending to (especially business) matters
Government
The influence of a word in regard to construction, requiring that another word should be in a particular case.
Administration
The persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something;
He claims that the present administration is corrupt
The governance of an association is responsible to its members
He quickly became recognized as a member of the establishment
Government
The organization that is the governing authority of a political unit;
The government reduced taxes
The matter was referred to higher authorities
Administration
The act of administering medication
Government
(government) the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed;
Tyrannical government
Administration
The tenure of a president;
Things were quiet during the Eisenhower administration
Government
The act of governing; exercising authority;
Regulations for the governing of state prisons
He had considerable experience of government
Government
The study of government of states and other political units
Government
The system by which a state or community is governed.
The government is introducing new tax reforms.
Government
The organization or manner of governing a state.
A democratic government ensures that citizens have a voice.
Government
The group of people governing a country or state at a particular time.
The current government is in its second term.
Government
The continuous exercise of authority over a political unit.
The efficient government of a country is crucial for its prosperity.
Common Curiosities
Which lasts longer, an administration or a government?
Governments are more permanent structures, while administrations can change more frequently.
Does a new president always mean a new administration?
Typically, yes. Presidents often bring in their own team or administration.
Is government exclusive to states and nations?
No, local communities, cities, and provinces also have governments.
Can a corporation have an administration?
Yes, corporations have administrations that oversee day-to-day operations.
Is administration synonymous with government?
No, administration refers to a specific group managing, while government is the broader system of governance.
Can one government have multiple administrations?
Yes, as administrations can change with leadership, while the government remains.
Is administration only about politics?
No, administration pertains to management in various settings, including business and education.
Are all members of the government part of the administration?
Not necessarily. An administration is a specific body or group within the larger government.
Is the judicial branch part of the government or administration?
The judicial branch is part of the government, not typically termed under "administration."
What's a primary role of an administration?
To manage, direct, and oversee day-to-day functions of an organization or sector.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
