The problem of the Government is a ‘consideration of…
““The problem of the Government is a ‘consideration of convenience’ as Burke called it. It is the problem of finding how we can best live together in peace and harmony as we are, and not as we ought to be. For this, as we have seen, there must be a supervisor, a Government, for the simple reason that we are imperfect and because most of us are short-futured men with little thought for the days to come—unhappily apt to fall for the delusions of the present.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Government exists to manage human imperfection, providing order so societies can coexist peacefully despite individual shortcomings.
In simple terms: Government helps manage human flaws for peaceful coexistence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize need for governance to balance idealism and reality.
Themes
politics
society
human nature
governance
order
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy
- community building
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- lawmaking
Key Concepts
social contract
imperfection
collective welfare
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we design institutions that respect both ideal goals and human limits?
- What role does compromise play in effective governance?
A Different Perspective
Ideal governance may ignore practical constraints of human behavior.