Justice and Politics; an Ongoing Tension.
Throughout history, many corrupt and selfish individuals have run politics. These types of individuals are the main reasons for the existence of the world's injustice. Most politicians are only concerned about satisfying the majority group, or their own group's interests. The problem that this causes is that a whole other group of people is not being represented, thus being denied of their justice. In The Apology, Plato writes: "The true champion of justice, if he intends to survive even for a short period, must necessarily confine himself to private life and leave politics alone." David Thoreau would unarguably agree with Plato's quote. For Thoreau, a government has no use due to its injustice. Thoreau emphasizes the importance of self-reliance, and individuality. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast Thoreau's Civil Disobedience to Plato's The Apology in order to show that it is not possible for justice to exist in the political world, due to the majoritarian rule of politics, and the types of individuals leading it.
The first important task, before continuing this essay, is to define justice. According to the Webster's dictionary, justice is: the principle of moral rightness; equity. Justice and fairness are synonyms. Henry David Thoreau would completely agree with Socrates" above quotation. Thoreau argues that government should be based on conscience and that citizens should cease associating with an unjust government. Thoreau writes: .
"How does it become a man to behave toward the American government today? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also.".
Thoreau was against slavery and the Mexican-American War. Since his government was supporting both of these things, which in many American's view were unjust, he tries to persuade people to cut their ties with the government.