Henry David Thoreau`s concept of government Essay

Thoreau is wizard of the most influential thinkers of the world. His civilised Disobedience theory has inspired many leaders who apply it to acquire freedom for their colonized countries. Mahatma Gandhi was inspired by this es dictate and enthrone it to practice in his Civil Disobedience movement during Indian freedom struggle. This method proved to be stronger than state of war with weapons. Thoreaus motto is, That governing body is best which governs least. To him authorities is the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will. So people holding posts in the government need to reflect the choice of the people. He hereby does non say that there is no need for a government but demands a better one which can reflect the needs of the people. He derides the win near of government that treats men like movable forts and magazines at the service of some unscrupulous man in power. Herein he is referring to soldiers at war who risk their lives against their sense of r ight and wrong. Thoreau describes the situation of the countries invaded by America where a sixth of the population of a nation which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty argon slaves and under the subjugation of foreign army. He speaks against invasion of foreign lands. cardinal be against this kind of war and acquisition but no one raises their voice against this. Some times he says that people petition or give up their cheap vote. He questions the citizen giving up their conscience to the legislator. Thoreau ridicules parliamentary elections and proclaims that only those who vote for the abolishment of slavery are real voters.Thoreau finds fault with those who are non able to tolerate foul laws but at the same time are contended with mere petitioning. A common citizen meets government in the form of tax collectors once in a year. Thoreau does not support taxation which is created without any subjectivity. He does not mind paying tax for essential utilities but he does not find logic in poll tax. He refuses to pay for those that his conscience does not permit. Consequently he is put in jail by and by to be released on account of someone else paying for him.Thoreau upholds freedom of all(prenominal) individual and criticizes the government for treating individual citizens as a herd. He adds that all individual should be allowed his choice in the welfare activities he wishes to do. He blames the State of collecting tax in the name of welfare activities and victimization it to invade other nations putting thousands of lives in danger. How can a government that is closing its eyes on the evil of slave trade be trusted in welfare activities?His solution to tackle this issue is Civil Disobedience movement. Instead of waiting for others to start a movement or stop with petitions, every individual should rise up to the occasion with opposition towards the politics. He says, There will never be a authentically free and enlightened State until the Sta te comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and potentiality are derived, and treats him accordingly.Thoreau admits that to this kind of government he will willingly give up himself and cheerfully obey. There has been a good modify from monarchy to democracy. Now the change needs to be extended to progress towards true respect for the individual. The Government needs to find ways to recognize and organize the rights of man. He overly recommends that the legislators could take instruction from the New Testament to make his governance better. This purpose from Thoreau has had great impact in the world history. Many nations were made and fortify by following Civil Disobedience. He recommends what is called as Bloodless war and this war is more powerful than that which is fought with arm and ammunitions.