What do people feel about the purpose of government should be, to protect or just to provide?

Question

Of course I strongly feel that our government is to protect us, keep us safe, and help our independence in general. Now I know this argument is probably never ending, because people still argue this today, but I just wonder what our some people's thought on this subject?

Answer 1

Only to protect, not to generally provide. Aside from basic infrastructure (roads, money, laws), the only role of government should be law enforcement and defense.

Answer 2

Our national government's number one purpose is to protect the interests of our citizens (of course). However, the government's purpose is to also provide when citizens are in need. This unofficial policy truly began during Reconstruction as the South was beginning to re-enter the Union and recover from the brutal war, however it became a major agenda during the Great Depression.

Answer 3

Protection always takes precedence on anything else. Unless the government protects the life, liberty and property of its citizens it cannot provide.

Governments must also provide basic services to its citizens. Some governments have adopted this maxim in this regard "From each according to his ability to each according to his needs".

Answer 4

I really agree. I feel that the government really has many responsibilities including protect and provide. They need to protect us in times of war. But they also need to provide things like steady health care, medicare, and many other organizations that keep our country running.

Answer 5

There are many purposes of government. To defend its citizens is first and foremost, to provide safety by enforcing its laws and imprisoning those who are a danger or detriment to society, to provide social services for those who are struggling, to provide the infrastructure for a civilization to flourish (ie, roads, canals, ports, bridges, defenses), to govern justly and to ensure that business conducts its afairs justly for its employess and customers and if you really understand the nature of international politics another purpose is to expands its political, economic and social influence which increases its ability to fulfill the above mentioned purposes.

Answer 6

i feel like the government should enable civilization and progress.

that means it should provide a basic level of tools to all of its citizens so that they can then take responsibility for carrying society forward... improving civilization and the lives of people everywhere.

that's a rather flowery way of saying i think they need to offer education and resources to the masses. people who are comfortable and happy are generally more productive and creative if they are taught to value such things. then there's folks like paris hilton.

Answer 7

Only to be for the people.

Answer 8

Basic duties of protection and order.

Period, our government should not coddle us and hold our hands, we are free thinking able bodied persons who should be able to fend for ourselves.

Answer 9

It should enable one to provide for themselves while protecting their right to do so.

Answer 10

They are to provide protection, not feed you. Unless there is some catastrophe.