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Thoreau

Civil Disobedience Democracy is thought to be the best method of choosing legitimate form of government; and political representation is cherished to be one of its key features. However, according to Thoreau, governments are obviously more harmful than helpful to people as it remains the agent of corruption and injustice. People usually elect their representatives who would uphold public interests and goals. However, Thoreau (1849) says “ all voting is a sort of gaming like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong, with moral questions; and betting naturally accompanies it” (On the Duty of Civil Disobedience).
Thoreau questions the power of majority stating that the decision of majority does not necessarily ensure superior wit or justice. In the same way, it will be a fallacy if any one thinks that individual choices are inferior to the decision of majority. Regardless of the utmost virtue, governmental decisions are often subjected to the interest of majority groups. Thoreau was influenced by the social conditions in which slavery had been the major characteristic. Yet his convictions are of great relevance today as the modern democracies like the United States, UK, and India have been testing this ‘ game of right and wrong’ (voting) for decades. The political settlements in these multicultural nations have become a sort of ‘ betting’ as Thoreau envisaged because representation is the inevitable, perhaps the sole strategy for minority groups to negotiate their privileges with majority. It is believed that democratic representation will help control the majority by promoting a win-win atmosphere. Moreover, important decisions could only be taken after detailed discussion and debate. Minority groups are given chances to achieve their goals and to limit the interests of other groups as well.
In contrast, though minority groups and other weaker sections are given constitutional backup for proportional representation in legislation, justice has always been left to the choice of majority. Thoreau suggests that people should not allow government to weaken their conscience. He also states that if any one hold back one’s conscience in favor of law, the person is badly serving the state. Moreover, the power of majority might curtail the freedom and rights of other communities. Therefore, he believes that a wise man can not leave the right to the mercy of chances. Leaving the justice to the choice of majority is highly irresponsible act that can bring ultimate adversity.
People usually elect representatives who would advocate their common interests. However, as we know, representatives are often criticized for not keeping their campaign promises. In addition, the legislation they pass may not necessarily protect the real virtue. The Abortion Act UK (1967) can be the best example in this context. Since the enforcement of the law, the number of abortion has increased at an alarming rate. It shows how an immoral practice can be justified by the choice of majority. When abortion is counted as the matter of women’s autonomy, the right of fetus to survive has conveniently been ignored. This is what Thoreau commented as ‘ giving a slight moral tinge’ to justify the unethical choices. To what extend representatives are liable to represent the wishes of the electorates is relative. Since there is no unanimous opinion on any political issue, it is difficult to assume that government can define the exact parameters of morality and justice.
Works Cited
Thoreau H D. On the Duty of Civil Disobedience. Filiquarian Publishing LLC, 2007.

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