Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

It means that governments do things to ensure and secure the well being of the public. Sorry...it was worded a bit awkwardly.

To expand: governments use law as a means of promoting and securing the well being of the public. For example: labour laws (safe working environments, limits on work hours, minimum wages, fair practices, etc.) and consumer laws (safe products, fair advertising, adequate product information, etc.).

This is the influence governments have over corporations (well, businesses in general). I don't expect corporations to have much influence over government in return. The only extent I see in this regard is working with government on business laws and regulations where they need to be refined. But what needs to be at the fore is the well being of the public.