“If men were angels no government would be necessary”
— James Madison
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Simplified Meaning:
People are not perfect. We make mistakes and sometimes act out of self-interest. Because of this, we need systems like government to help manage our behavior and ensure fairness. Imagine a community where no one ever lied, stole, or hurt others. In that perfect world, rules and laws wouldn't be needed since everyone would always do the right thing. But in reality, since humans can be selfish or harmful, governments create laws and enforce them to keep society safe and orderly. For instance, traffic laws exist to prevent accidents and make sure drivers act responsibly on the road. So, the idea is that because we are not angel-like and flawless, we need structured rules to help guide and protect us.
Related tags
Authority Government Human nature Idealism Limitations Philosophy Political theory Realism Social order Society
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