Defining the Role of Government
By Jayme Chandler
Throughout the history of the United States, a central question we all share is what exactly is the role of government? The role of government varies from country to country throughout human history and the answer to this question is constantly evolving. However, the United States has remained fairly fixed on our stance, as our country has historically thrived with limited government function, and hopefully continues to do so. As conservatives, our main priority is to keep government small, but in order to do that, it is important to have a firm grasp on what its role should be.
For the hundreds of years prior to the foundation of the United States, man lived in a cruel, Hobbesian, state with its government. The government, in theory, protected its citizens, and the citizens remained subservient. Authority was complete, and opportunity limited. The United States of America turned that relationship on its head, rooting its government in freedom rather than power and authority. Inspired by the Enlightenment works of Adam Smith, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke, the United States government sought democracy, representation, economic prosperity, but above all, foundational freedom from the tyranny of authoritative government.
As stated in the preamble to the Constitution, the role of government is to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Objectively, the first four parts of that statement are relatively easy to do. However, it becomes complicated when a government is tasked with doing all of the above while upholding the civil liberties of its citizens. Protecting its citizens from tyranny, while ultimately not becoming a form of tyranny itself. Given that America was founded in the shadows of the British monarchy, its government and founding documents go far to ensure the government stays contained, and its citizens free. As Thomas Jefferson stated: “I own I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.”
The United States government is an institution of citizens acting as public servants in the interest of other citizens. Free elections entrust all adult citizens to influence bureaucracy at all levels through voting. The government serves at the discretion of the American people, as they possess sovereignty to elect officials into positions and vote directly on the proposed legislation in state elections. Free elections and term limits are inherently designed to constrict government officials, as their power is explicitly tied in American voters.
The paramount role of the United States government is to protect freedoms in all forms. The Constitution and the Amendments that followed, ensured citizens with the inalienable rights to speak, worship, and pursue life freely. America is the freest country in the world because the government is principally balanced by the people it serves and by the rights it protects. The fundamental freedom of speech is quintessential, as it allows for the American citizens’ ability to protest, change, and improve the government over time. Freedom of speech, is the hallmark of American freedom, as it not only allows for citizens to voice their opinions on government, but protects dialogue, and difference of thought in the face of tyranny.
The role of the government is evidently defined in the Constitution; however American citizens are constantly challenging what the constitution’s exact interpretation should be in modern society. American politics is principally split along said interpretations by two official parties: The Republican and Democratic parties. While both parties have largely evolved since their founding in the 19th century, modern political movements starkly contrast in view towards the role of the government.
The majority of modern conservatives continue to value the traditional Constitutional platform of limited government, lower taxes, and personal fiscal responsibility. In general, conservatives are devoted to preserving the government in a restricted form, as they trust the principles of the Constitution and the laissez-faire economic model. On the contrary, a recent diversion from the traditional Democratic party platform, one of the nuanced progressive policies, has postulated a new stance on the role of the government in the United States: Democratic Socialism. This increasingly mainstream viewpoint proposes a large redistribution of wealth to fund government regimented programs. This new stance on government contradicts the history of the United States, redefines the role of bureaucracy, and eclipses the foundational freedom of this nation.
The role of the government has been, and always should be: to ensure the independence of all American citizens. The United States government’s unwavering commitment to uphold American freedom in every respect, is critical to America’s success socially, economically, and politically. As Ronald Reagan stated, “I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.”
Photo via @jaymeleaghchandler
