Government implies the power of making laws. It is essential to the idea of a law, that it be attended with a sanction; or, in other words, a penalty or punishment for disobedience.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hamilton defines the essence of government as the power to create laws backed by enforceable penalties.
- In plain terms
- A government must be able to punish people who break its laws.
- What can you take from it?
- Effective lawmaking requires the authority to enforce compliance through sanctions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a law valid?
- Is fear a valid basis for order?
Another view
It equates governance solely with coercion rather than consent.
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