Thus, according to the essay, citizens of a country should not allow their governments to atrophy or overrule their consciences and that they have a responsibility to prevent such acquiescence to give power to the government which makes them the proprietors of injustices. In this respect, all government initiatives and laws should work in the best interest of the common man because he has that right. It is the people who give the mandate to a few chosen individuals to rule or govern on their behalf. From this statement, it is clear that Thoreau consider the power to govern to belong to the people. Thoreau says, “There will never be a free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly” (Thoreau and MacLeish 63). Thoreau is not afraid to state that the United States of America has an unjust government because they practice aggressive war techniques and slavery.Ī good government must be just, respect all human rights, and be led by self-thinkers. Just like he puts it, men should “seek to amend them” rather than wait for the majority to decide on the next course of action. He states that there often are unjust laws within a government and that people should not just follow such laws blindly.
This statement does not mean that he is an anti-government but rather an activist for a better government.
His opinion is clear when he states that, “That government is best which governs not at all” (Thoreau and MacLeish 6). The author claims in the essay that the source of power for any government is the majority. Thoreau’s essay, “Civil Disobedience,” is a personal view on how a perfect government should conduct itself.
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