1) What kind of government does Thoreau feel would be most just?
Henry David Thoreau thinks that a government that is least governed is the one, which will be most successful, and if the government don’t governor at all then it’s even better. “That government is best which governs least” (Thoreau 137). I thought that the first quote made a lot of scene because for example if the government goes around making random rules and restrictions to which the people of the country or state decline then that shows signs of a poor government. But on the other hand if the government puts those rule making reasonability’s in the hands of everyday people then the government would be much better in terms of respecting the people. “That government is best which governs not at all” (Thoreau 137). This I disagree on because this is pretty much saying that there is no need of a government. Some sort of limited orders, demand, or restrictions must be placed on the people in order to maintain a stable environment in which the people are under control. A generalized view of what Thoreau thought was a just government consists of a government, which are completely moral and totally respectful of the individual. “Thoreau opposes is simply any government that is not totally just, totally moral, and totally respectful of the individual” (Thoreau 135). This I totally agree with because if they respect the values and options of the people then the government will get the same response. There is one line in this reading that really stood out to me, “ Under a government which imprisons unjustly, the true place for a just person is also a prison” (Thoreau 146). The government that treats unfairly will be end up in the same place as someone treated fairly.
Works Sited
Henry David Thoreau. “Civil Disobedience” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford St. Martins,2006 pp 102-110.
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3 comments:
I liked reading your blog and seeing that you had a different opinion then everyone else. A lot of people were saying that it is best for the government to be involved a less as possible. If the government became to passive it may begin to cause problems like people getting away with civil acts or worse.
I liked your blog and I agreed with pretty much everything you had to say. I think its a good thing to keep church and state separate to avoid offending people that are too uptight.
The most effective voice you have is your educated vote. If you don't take the time to understand the candidates' platforms, and then you vote however your friends or parents do, you have sold out to the very forces that cause such injustices. Voting is the most effective voice you have--all the blogging and email petitions in the world don't matter unless you also cast an educated vote in local, state, and national elections.
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