John C. Calhoun's A Disquisition on Government

A detailed Summary of John C. Calhoun's A Disquisition on Government

A Disquisition on Government (1848), selections

"The Nature of Man and the Origin of Government"

According to Calhoun, to understand the nature of government, one must also understand the nature of its creator, man. He begins by asking, "What is that constitution or law of our nature without which government would not exist and with which its existence is necessary?" In answering this question, Calhoun makes two assumptions: First, man is a social being whose physical and moral inclinations and wants lead him to associate with his fellow man. Second, some form of government must exist in man's social state. Calhoun offers as proof of this second assumption that no society has ever been found without some form of government.

Calhoun next asks, "What is that constitution of our nature which, while it impels man to associate with his kind, renders it impossible for a society to exist without government?" He contends that even though man is a social creature who feels the wants and needs of others in his community, at the same time man's stronger inclination is to feel what affects him directly. Calhoun avoids using the word "selfish" because it implies an unusual excess of the individual over his soc

In order to fully protect a community, government must be able to call on the resources of the community and be able to command them when a crisis arises. Calhoun believes that large civil and military establishments are necessary to achieve this. He calls for "a host of employees, agents and officers" to run these establishments. To meet the necessary expenses, Calhoun states that "large sums must be collected and disbursed, and for this purpose heavy taxes must be imposed, requiring a multitude of officers for their collection and disbursement."

ial feelings. Calhoun believes man's individual feelings are stronger.

However, Calhoun asserts that liberty is a right to be earned and it would be a dangerous error to assume that all people are equally entitled to it. He states that liberty is a reward to be earned, not a blessing for all. It is reserved for the "intelligent, the patriotic, the virtuous and deserving." Liberty should not be bestowed on "people too ignorant, degraded and vicious to be capable either of appreciating or enjoying it."

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Approximate Word count = 2031
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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