Thomas Jefferson: Declaration of Independence - Essay Example

Thomas Jefferson ‘Declaration of Independence’ In considering what I believe the functions of government should be I recognize that the issue is highly complex and could extend not simply to an essay, but a complex array of books. Still, there are a number of principles that could be considered in relation to the core text of the United States, the Declaration of Independence. This essay considers what I believe the functions of government should be with reference to the United States’ Declaration of Independence.

In considering the Declaration of Independence, one of the most powerful presentations of the role of government is the overarching understanding it of protecting citizens’ rights. In these regards, Jefferson makes the seminal statement, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (Jefferson). While this is a broad and rhetorical statement, its primary argument holds true. In these regards, I agree with Jefferson that one of the primary functions of government should be to ensure that all citizens are treated in equal regard, and that they are given a path to which they should be able to pursue happiness.

While the Declaration of Independence in large part illustrates the functions of government that England failed to accomplish, in considering some of these points, one demonstrate some of the important roles of government. I believe one of the one of the main roles of government should be to represent the people living within the regions of governance. Regarding England, Jefferson indicates that He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature (Jefferson).

Here Jefferson is indicating that the British government failed to provide adequate representation to individuals. I believe the primary role of all governments should be to function within the confines of citizen representation, such that the decisions that are made are done so with the benefits and progress of the citizenry as the sole intention. Ultimately, when one views the slanted and dysfunctional nature of dictatorships, the importance of this function is made abundantly clear. Another primary function of government should be the establishment of justice in the governing regions.

In some degrees, this is a specification of the early point that government should ensure liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but important on its own nonetheless. In rejecting the British government, Jefferson writes, He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers (Jefferson). I believe that leaving the administration of justice to citizens is an impossible task that will result in increased levels of violence and social unrest.

For these reasons, it is an essential function of government to ensure justice through the establishment of an objective judiciary branch that will holds citizens accountable. In conclusion, this essay has considered what I believe to be the functions of government with reference to the Declaration of Independence. It has argued that government should ensure all citizens equitable treatment, provide representation, and establish justice. While there are important functions of government, they be no means constitute the entirety of government; however they represent the core functions.

References Jefferson, Thomas. ‘Declaration of Independence’ Early America. http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html