What is a government and what purpose do they serve? Governments are meant to serve the people and see that their basic rights are protected. There is an agreement between the people and the government: that being that the people give up some freedoms in exchange for protection from hostile forces. However, as Henry David Thoreau said, when the government doesn't meet it's half of the agreement, it is the responsibility of the people either reform the government or overthrow it and start a new one that serves the needs of the people. Although Thoreau wrote about this Civil Disobedience, and the idea may seem archaic and not relevant to modern society, this neglect of the agreement can be seen today in places like Egypt, Russia, and Syria. The government ignores the demands of the people and the people reform the government to better fit their needs. However, it does not always have to be as extreme
As rebelling and violently changing the government. Everyday people petition the government
To change laws to protect the peoples' rights. The government is never perfect. However, through the active
Involvement and participation of the people, both the government and the people
Can work together to form the best government possible.
I really like the uncommon point of view you took on this. The ugly truth is that not everyone's needs are being met, but there are still things that can be done to fix it.
ReplyDeleteI like the examples you give relating Thoreau's points to today, proving that they are still relevant. You're right that it is the people's responsibility to overthrow or alter the government if it is not meeting their needs.
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