Though the state may treat them as enemies as a result, Thoreau argues that there is no other way forward. He argues that the power of governing is with the people and therefore the American people must take back their ability to think and act for themselves “as men first and subjects afterwards.” Thoreau implores his audience to think carefully about the law and its capacity to promote injustice, arguing that his fellow citizens must risk breaking the law and becoming “bad” citizens in the pursuit of justice. Thoreau then makes his first plea to readers, calling for a “better government,” instead of the faulty government he and his fellow citizens currently have. He argues that all of America’s successes have been the result of the American people instead of the American government. Thoreau goes on to critique the American government and its role in furthering injustice and its limited success in governing so far. He argues that like a standing army, a standing government can be perverted and corrupted to serve the ambitions of a few powerful people instead of all the American people. He admits that he believes that the best government is one that governs “not at all.” From there, he asks his readers to reflect on the purpose of a standing government such as the one the United States has currently. Henry David Thoreau begins “Civil Disobedience” by reflecting on the best form of government.
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