The work Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau is an illumination of the current shortcomings of the government. In the essay, the author describes the evil side of the authority that uses its power to reach its benefits, disregarding the nation’s interests. The paper written by Thoreau serves as a call for action. Every phrase of the philosopher and essayist is filled with the desire to administer justice and fight for what is right.
Thoreau begins the work by stating that he agrees with the “motto” that “government is best which governs least” (Thoreau 5). The author advocates for the authority that does not interfere with the lives of citizens. In this sense, the government is merely a pragmatic force, a means to reach the goal. Thoreau argues that it operates because the public has elected it to serve its interests, yet it is prone to abuse. The authority is not always helpful, as seen in the Mexican-American War, which was the effort of a minority of men who exploited the power of government despite public opposition.
Thoreau explains the universal right to revolt and dwells on the beginnings of the American Revolution, which he considers less ethically appealing than the prevailing challenges in modern society. The author advocates “peaceable revolution” after developing a vision of the state as a system that might not always do enough good deeds to offset the damage it causes (Thoreau 55). Only action, what the community does in response to the issue, is essential. Injustice will be restored only by society, not by the state’s systems.
Lastly, Thoreau expresses his wish to follow the nation’s rules, yet current regulations are not ethical and acceptable from a broad perspective. Legislators and officials operate as though the cosmos is governed by pragmatism. According to Thoreau, there will not be a “free and enlightened state” unless the government acknowledges the importance of man (Thoreau 106). This way the author emphasizes respect for people and recognizes their worth.
Thus, Henry David Thoreau believes that the government abuses its power, and it is time to put an end to such actions. Thoreau accentuates the necessity to transform the government system and fight for justice in his work. The writer claims that citizens’ interests and opinions should always be taken into account. At this point, revolution is the way to reach authority and speak one’s mind.
Work Cited
Thoreau, Henry David. On the Duty of Civil Disobedience. NAE, 2016.