The ISSP Role of Government modules comprise four surveys from 1985, 1990, 1996, and 2006. The 2006 survey is a partial replication of the 1996 study; the 1996 survey a partial replication of the 1990 study, and the 1990 survey a partial replication of the 1985 study.  

The ISSP Role of Government modules mainly deal with attitudes toward government responsibilities and government spending, state intervention in the economy, civil liberties, political interest, trust and efficacy.