Government includes the people and resources—as well as departments, agencies, programs, processes, laws, rules, and regulations—that define the relationship between federal, state, and local governments and their citizens. Some legal principles have a unique application when private citizens or entities interact with their governments.

In Arkansas, as in other states, the government is composed of three levels: federal, state, and local. Each level has its own departments, agencies, programs, processes, laws, rules, and regulations that govern the interactions between the government and its citizens. At the state level, the Arkansas Constitution and state statutes define the structure and powers of the state government, which includes the executive, led by the governor; the legislative, composed of the Arkansas General Assembly; and the judicial branch. Local governments in Arkansas, such as counties and municipalities, have their own governing bodies and ordinances that are subject to the limitations of state law. Legal principles that govern interactions between private citizens or entities and the government include administrative law, which outlines how government agencies create and enforce regulations, and constitutional law, which provides the framework for civil rights and liberties. Additionally, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures public access to government records and meetings, reinforcing the principle of transparency. When private citizens or entities interact with the government, they may be subject to different legal standards and processes than in private transactions, and they may have specific legal remedies available to them, such as judicial review of administrative decisions.