A few days ago
Anonymous

What does this quote mean?

“Seemingly from the dawn of manall nations have had governments; all men have been ashamed of them. Nothing is more openly fallacious than to fancy in ruder or simpler ages ruling, judging and punishing appeared perfectly innocent and dignified. These things were always regarded as the penalties of the Fall; as part of the humiliation of mankind, as bad in themselves.”

This is taken from G.K. Chesterton’s “What’s Wrong With the World” and my question is:

What does the fall of man have to do with the instiution of government?

Top 2 Answers
A few days ago
Anonymous

Favorite Answer

There has always been some form of government throughout history and although there are many forms they are pretty much such up to keep order within a society. There are laws and regulations that people are expected to follow in order for things to run smoothly.

Governments are established to reward the good and punish the bad. Without it there would be absolute chaos, but there is no such thing as the perfect government.

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A few days ago
barb
Government implies that there is a central government – and not all societies have this – fifedoms as are found in Sudan or ancient CHina are not governments.

But, if you consider all systems of power (where someone is in charge and others follow – willingly or unwillingly) have people like you and me making rules and enforcing them. Every “government” seems to thing theirs is the best plan – on paper it may even look good and get voted into place by a majority of the people it covers.

Then just watch what happens when an institution goes without scrutiny, questioning and periodic review. It is the idiocynrasies of “man” that bring governments down through greed, corruption, and criminal acts.

Even King Arthurs’ round table was brought down by deceit.

good luck

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