Role of Government Debate
) What should the role of government be: A positive good or a necessary evil? Why?
Paper Assignments:
A) Paper has to be 3 – 4 pages long
B) It has to be double space and one-inch margins on all sides
C) It has to be typed in Times New Roman Font (12)
D) Written in MLA format and it must contain a separate Works Cited page. Needs to have at least 4 citations from 4 different reputable sources within your paper.
E) No Wikipedia is allowed.
F) You must provide statistical and/or specific current or historical events or facts to augment your thesis.
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Is the government a positive good or a necessary evil and why?,
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What arguments support the opposing view of your chosen stance?,
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What are the main arguments supporting your chosen position?,
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What historical or current events support your position?,
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What reputable sources can be used to support your claims?
Role of Government Debate
In the first paragraph you must include the one you choose if it’s a positive good /or necessary evil.
The arguments of both must be included, but focus and stating facts more on the side you choose
IMPORTANT: MLA format
MLA Format | Position: Government as a Positive Good
Thesis Statement: Government should be viewed as a positive good because it safeguards individual rights, provides essential services, maintains social order, and enables societal progress through collective action.
Introduction
Debates over the role of government have persisted since the founding of democratic societies. Some regard it as a “necessary evil”—a force that must be limited to prevent tyranny—while others see it as a “positive good,” necessary to promote justice and protect public welfare. I argue that government is a positive good. Though it can be misused, the government plays a vital role in ensuring social cohesion, enabling economic development, and defending citizens’ rights. This essay will examine both perspectives but focus primarily on why the government is essential for a functioning and just society.
Arguments for Government as a Necessary Evil
Those who argue that government is a necessary evil often cite the risk of government overreach and loss of personal freedom. This view, most famously associated with Thomas Paine and many American Founding Fathers, emphasizes the idea that while some government is necessary to avoid chaos, it should be strictly limited. They argue that centralized power, unchecked, leads to tyranny. Historical examples, such as the British monarchy’s abuses before the American Revolution or the surveillance practices of authoritarian regimes like North Korea, fuel this concern (Paine, Common Sense).
Additionally, some libertarian thinkers argue that government interference in markets and personal lives hinders innovation and freedom, preferring voluntary action and minimal regulation (Nozick 98). These fears are not baseless, but they assume an idealized vision of self-governance that often fails in complex, modern societies.
Arguments for Government as a Positive Good
Viewing government as a positive good acknowledges its essential role in protecting individual rights and promoting the common good. Governments establish and uphold laws that protect citizens from violence, fraud, and exploitation. For instance, civil rights legislation in the 1960s—such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964—would not have occurred without strong federal government action (U.S. National Archives). Left to private or state actors alone, systemic discrimination likely would have continued unchecked.
Moreover, modern governments provide critical services such as public education, healthcare, infrastructure, and disaster response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, government-led initiatives such as vaccine distribution, stimulus aid, and public health guidance saved millions of lives (CDC, 2021). These collective efforts illustrate the scale of organization and resources only government can marshal effectively.
Historically, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal during the Great Depression showcased how government could be a force for economic recovery, job creation, and social stability (Kennedy 57). Programs like Social Security, established in 1935, continue to support millions of elderly and disabled Americans today.
Balancing Power with Accountability
Proponents of limited government are correct to demand transparency and accountability—but these principles are not incompatible with strong governance. Rather, they are features of well-designed democratic institutions. Effective governments function with checks and balances, such as independent courts, free press, and civil society participation. These mechanisms are not only protections against abuse but tools that strengthen government legitimacy and responsiveness (Dahl 115).