Civil Disobedience Essay By Henry Thoreau

Henry Thoreau is the kind of man that stands up for what he believes in, although Thoreau does make some valid arguments, some people choose to think differently. Thoreau does think there is a proper way of rolling a government due to practicing civil disobedience in his own life. He speaks out about Slavery and the war in Mexico and how much it must be put to a stop. Thoreau’s essay on civil disobedience provides many points on how a proper role in government should be properly ran, more so he talks about politics, government and the issues concerning these areas today in society.

Most Americans describe are frustrated with government even disappointed. In which that frustration is taking a toll on the quality of the interference between the public of America and its leaders in Washington. If people choose not provide something, the state makes it clear that they cannot provide it either. The government shouldn't have so much power over people- the government didn't make the people.

The government shouldn't let bad things happen to innocent people, the only people who chose to do bad things to other people, should face consequences. The goals for government is to build a perfect union, establish justice, to guarantee domestic tranquility, providing for common defense, and to promote general welfare for its citizens. One quote that sticks out to most people in Thoreau’s essay of Civil Disobedience is "That government is best which governs least", to Thoreau this motto means that the government shouldn’t have any kind of power over the people. Thoreau believes that government is a disturbingly intrusive force that suffocates the creative enterprises of the people.The main points of the quote is the idea that the government should not intervene with the lives of its citizens any more than is absolutely necessary. Another quote that specifies Thoreau's thoughts about the government was “I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also”. To me I think Thoreau is stating that the government can’t be seen as a government of his own, but a government for everyone including minorities. Thoreau was anti-slavery, choosing to think that men are intended to find their own destiny and be attentive of their own spiritual meaning than to separate themselves from the pressures of society, which meant that Thoreau usually found slavery unethical. Finally Thoreau claims that the American government "has not the vitality and force of a single living man” stating that the government is losing its wholeness, that the government is just for show because men feel like they need a government in place because a government can’t do what a man can.

When Thoreau states "That government is best which governs least" I definitely agree with his statement because he’s telling people the government doesn’t make any laws to be directly connected with our safety and security for our citizens, instead they are pushing itself away from being a proper government. In society today some people are afraid to speak out about their own beliefs not knowing what consequences they’re going to face, while others choose to disregard that and decide to stand up for what they believe in, whether that means going against them. Yes we should pay attention to the government and obey the law, but how can we obey the law when the government itself doesn't obey the law. Although with that statement I also disagree, in which that if the government “governs least” then we wouldn’t have ended slavery, ended child labor and so forth, in this day of age. In Thoreau’s time, the government didn’t get very involved with people’s lives, especially not when it’s compared to what government does today in society.Another quote that Thoreau has about the government was “I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also”. I agree with what he standing up for with not agreeing to the system of slavery, because how can we make sure that a government is fair and how can it be fair if the government is deciding to enslave part of its population. We don’t owe obedience to the government even if we are their citizens. Thoreau wasn't the kind of man who went along with everyone who was all for slavery. Just because the government thought that slavery was ok didn't make it very noble. Most people don’t talk about slavery (whether they were part of it or not) the subject reminds us of the disturbing part of our history in America.

The final quote Thoreau uses to claim that the American government should have a proper government is "has not the vitality and force of a single living man." in which where he wants to explain that a government can’t do great things like a man can. For me I feel like I can’t agree nor disagree, the reason I say this is because as a woman of course I think that a woman can do a better job than a man, being the feminist I am. Also there is a part of me that says both females and males can run a government, the only thing I can’t agree with is that anyone can run a government. I prefer people who do know what there doing and make good of the government instead of someone ruling the government and treating it as their own playground. So instead of saying that a man or woman is better in ruling a government, I say I prefer some who knows about government and knows what they’re doing.

Although Thoreau had made some rebellious remarks and actions, it doesn’t take away from the fact that some people in today’s society believe this is happening again. Parts of history are repeating itself. Some may protest while others decide to obey in silence, what kind of people/government are we by letting history repeat itself again.