Analysis of Effective Persuasion in Thoreau's Resistance to Civil Government - Essay Example

statements that were included in Thoreau’s essay, the researcher will be able to gather some supporting documents that will strengthen the researcher’s thesis statement. Thoreau stated that the government can make decisions that are not equally ‘just’ to all men since that law in the United States once permitted the legalization of slavery in the country. (Thoreau, 2008; McElroy, 2005) The researcher totally opposes Thoreau’s argument that “government is best which governs least”.

(Thoreau, 2008) Because of Thoreau’s personal detest on slavery and hatred against the U.S. government for the fact that he was imprisoned for not being able to pay taxes back in July 1846 (McElroy, 2005), it is clear that Thoreau has totally neglected the ‘real’ function of the government which is to govern a country or state which is necessary for the economic development of a country. As a result, he made a generalized statement that “government is best when they govern the least” (Thoreau, 2008).

It is unavoidable for some country’s government officials to be corrupt due to hunger for more power or money. This type of government officials are more likely to make unjust decisions which are solely grounded for their own benefits. However, there will always be an exception to the rule. In the case of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said is very well respected by his people for being able to develop an effective strategy that could increase the country’s economic and social progress. (Omanet.om, 2008) In line with this matter, Sultan Qaboos did not only remove the unnecessary restrictions that could impede the economic progress in Oman (A Special International Report, 1999) but also gave the people an equal opportunity for education and employment regardless of gender and race (Eickelman, 1993).

In reality, not all ‘government officials’ or ‘government as a whole’ is corrupt or unjust to his own fellowmen. Given the example that was presented in the