Government

1. Definition
1. 1828: The system of polity in a state; that form of fundamental rules and principles by which a nation or state is governed, or by which individual members of a body politic are to regulate their social actions; a constitution, either written or unwritten, by which the rights and duties of citizens and public officers are prescribed and defined; as a monarchical government, or a republican government.
1. Principles (truth, concept)
2. Regulate (control, manage)
3. Constitution (social code, law)
1. Government is the means by which people protect their rights. They do this by surrendering specific rights (i.e. right to protect your property) to a higher power as a collective group (i.e. Law Enforcement) so that other rights may be more fully protected.
2. Quotes
1. “A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circlue of our felicities.” (Thomas Jefferson)
1. The purpose of the government of the United States is to protect the people from themselves, while providing a place that the people may live prosperously without fear of the violation of their rights.
2. “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.” (George Washington)
1. Government is a force. It, like fire, must be controlled. Lest it get out of hand and become destructive force against it’s creator.
3. “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.” (Thomas Paine)
1. Similarly to the last quote, Paine makes the point that government can get out of hand. He also makes another point; that we only have government because it is necessary to our peace. That brings up another important point. If governments only exist because they are necessary, then we should only give them the most necessary of powers.
3. Personal Definition

Government is, in essence, the rights of the people instigated into one body to protect them from themselves. It needs to be construed to a small entity and be carefully controlled and kept in check with itself at all times.