What Is the Importance of Government? Select a Quotation of a US Leader on the Subject of Government
According to William McKinley, “Unlike any other nation, here the people rule, and their will is the supreme law. It is sometimes sneeringly said by those who do not like a free government that here we count heads. True, heads are counted, but brains also . . .”(Bailyn, 2017). From the perspective of a US President, the government aims to protect the US people and provide them with the necessary political and economic conditions to grow and develop.
Philosophers have debated the proper function of government for centuries. People could do whatever they wanted in the absence of government and rules, and some would try to slaughter others and steal their property. Anarchy is the product of this situation. People also realized that the protection of the people and the nation will be jeopardized in such a situation. The ruler’s competence ensures that they have enough power to protect the people, their rights, and so on. A ruler will win the people’s allegiance and support if he is eager and capable. A king gained authority in the “Mandate of Heaven” only if he could untie the people and overthrow the previous ruler (Schattschneider & Pearson, 2017). Heaven makes its decisions following the will of the people. Heaven approves of a ruler only if the people support him.
In conclusion, a ruler can only rule legitimately if he has the desire and capacity to do so and the people’s support and loyalty. A government’s role in establishing order in society is to create a set of laws to protect citizens and their rights. With this, all other factors such as economic stability will automatically fall in place.
