Government? - Minor Essay Blog Rant Assignment

Government?

Both Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, two of England's greatest philosophers, agree that a nation void of government would be corrupt and chaotic. However, both philosophers views of man in their natural state differ. Locke believed that men are born a blank slate, being safe and secure, and learning from their experiences. Hobbes saw man in his natural state corrupt, horrible and degenerate.  Because of Hobbes beliefs, he thought that any form of government, whether it was a monarchy, oligarchy, or democracy, would benefit humanity. He thought that government was created to keep men under control, and that it did so. He also thought a purpose of government was to instruct men what is good and what is evil. 

I can only agree with Hobbes on one of his arguments. I do believe that without some form of government, this nation would be chaotic and perhaps corrupt. What I do not agree with is that government keeps men under control or has the right to tell us what is good and what is evil. 

If you look at the actions of men and women today, under a civilized democracy, there are still riots, ambitious revolts, and heated arguments. There are many people who support corrupt organizations and causes: abortions, pornography, human trafficking, prostitution, theft, dishonesty, etc. I do not believe that men are naturally evil like Hobbes does. I believe that we are all born with agency to choose to be good or to choose to be evil. We choose these paths by our actions, and eventually our actions create us. 

Government is supposed to be for the betterment and the protection of men, not for the control of men. Lao Tzu says, “People are miserable because their rulers attempt to control them. The failure of rulers to follow the Way leads to the failure of subjects to be good subjects.” When governments become the opposite of what they profess, or do not live up to what they expect of those being governed, there is bound to be contention and revolt. When people are well governed; when they feel safe and protected, and treated justly, then they will give their loyalty to the government. It is wrong for the government to expect us to be rational and just when they themselves are doing the exact opposite.