This essay has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers.
Crises

A ‘Good Government’

This essay is written by:

Louis PHD Verified writer

Finished papers: 5822

4.75

Proficient in:

Psychology, English, Economics, Sociology, Management, and Nursing

You can get writing help to write an essay on these topics
100% plagiarism-free

Hire This Writer

A ‘Good Government’

Thomas More’s “Utopia”

Introduction

“Utopia” is one of the famous books by Sir Thomas More. It was first published in Latin

in 1516. Thomas More was a lawyer, English statesman, Catholic martyr, and

humanist. King Henry VII killed More in 1535 after the latter strongly refused

the king’s request to authorize the king to become the head of England church.

Moreover, the king’s advisor knew his boss; to enter an illegal marriage for

the desire to get a male heir. The book “Utopia” captures the reader’s

attention through a fictional narration by his spokesperson, Raphael Hythloday.

The narration draws an idealistic nation through practical transformation. He

describes a jurisdiction known as Utopia, and how its political and social

values seem to outstand those of all European nations. Relevantly, a ‘good

government,’ in the 16th century, should undergo a practical

transformation in its sociopolitical structure.

Summary

More

travels from England to Antwerp as an ambassador for King Henry VIII of

England. During his free time from official duties, More is interested in

talking with his friend, Giles, concerning intellectual notions. It happens

that More noticed a bearded man conversing with Giles and assumed that the

other man was a ship captain. After an introduction and more conversation, More

and Giles learn that their new colleague, Raphael Hythloday, is a philosopher

who has toured many parts of the world. The three suggest that they have supper

at Giles’ place. While after attending to supper, Hythloday begins his

narration about his numerous travels. He starts with his several travels to the

Amerigo Vespucci, New World, Southern Equator, Asia, and ultimately reaching at

Utopia, an island.

More

and Giles are so fascinated by Hythloday’s knowledge and exposure and tipped

that he should make a good counselor to any king. Hythloday objected to their

opinion for various reasons. He gives them an example of his dinner with

Cardinal Morton of England concerning the unjust capital punishment imposed on

thieves. Among other examples, Hythloday concludes by saying that Utopian

policies are more effective and sober than those in Europe. More and Giles are

concerned with knowing more about the Utopian society. The first break for

lunch. Hythloday narrates that Utopia came from a heavy fight led by General

Utopus through conquering and much effort from public works. Hythloday further

narrates how the Utopian society is good. The island is driven by rational

thought of communal ownership of properties. The philosopher concludes that

Utopian society is far better than that of Europe. Despite More’s belief that

those descriptions were absurd, he admits on a condition that they can only be

practiced in England.

Analysis

It

should be noted that characters More, Morton, and Giles are not actual

historical personalities in this narration. Sir Thomas More is the author of

the book (“Utopia”), Peter Giles is the Humanist think, and Cardinal John

Morton is the former England Chancellor. Hence the fictional characters and

actual personalities should not be used to misinterpret the work. This will be

necessary for understanding the following analysis. Back to the question,

Thomas More successfully describes what a ‘good government’ should look, both

politically and socially.

Communism versus Capitalism

More

puts that a ‘good government’ should employ the ideology of communism.

Communism is the communal ownership of properties whereby resources are evenly

distributed among the entire community members. In his book, More describes an

island which works under the communist ideology. Through his traveler,

Hythloday, the author believes that communism is far better in achieving a good

government. Character More is not convinced of the better part of the communism

in the place of capitalism. Similarly, communism and capitalism have been

debatable for many years. Different governments have taken a different path of

ideology, either communism or capitalism. However, the author concludes that a

good government will be in a better position if it adopts communism over

capitalism for various reasons.

Communism

leads to great productivity. According to More, the Utopian island is described

to be at a plentiful position of production. He writes, “A communal island; no

single European nation can be such in such rank” (More, 121). Importantly, if a

government adopts communism, its economic sector will consequently develop.

There will be no greediness for resources, resultant adverse poverty, and real

social class distinctions witnessed in the capitalistic governments. Social

inequalities by capitalism have caused a high rate of immoralities, such as

crimes and wars. A communistic government will also experience religious

tolerance as the society has learned the importance of solidarity for the

common good. Supporting the idea of communism, Harvey, in his book “The Enigma

of Capital and the Crises of Capitalism,” dismisses the place of capitalism by

terming it as “lifeblood that flows through the body politic” (Harvey, 05).

More’s belief that a good government should adopt communism for its development.

Rational Laws

According

to Thomas More, a good government should be guided by rational laws. In his

book, More’s traveler, Hythloday describes a scenario where Morton discussed

the issue of capital punishment imposed on thieves. According to More, laws

should not be made to torture the lowly people in society simply because they

are defenseless and powerless. A good government will equally apply its laws

without bending the justice weighs. Surprisingly, the petty offenders are

severely punished by the law where else influential offenders who commit

criminal offenses such as corruption and death walk free along the big cities

streets. Additionally, the More believes in the preciseness of laws. In his

book, More talks about Utopians, who “believed in keeping the laws few and as

clear and simple as possible.” Interestingly, the guilty Utopians will plead

guilty before the court and willingly accept the community service order. A

good government should reflect on the point of preciseness, clarity, and

simplicity of the law.

Integrity and Prudency

A

good government will be defined by respecting integrity and prudence. More

describes a king who will not listen to any advice from his advisors.

Ironically, the advisors are pretty aware that “neither of the advice will

change the king’s decision” (More, 99). More’s description of good governance

is known for its integrity. Some government officials will apply a ‘silent’

dictatorship in a democratic nation. Top government officials’ advisors and

juniors are aware of integral bleach committed by the government, yet they

cannot dare to speak them out for fear. What a sycophancy of the highest

degree! A good government will lead to prudently.

Ethics

A

good government will uphold ethical standards. According to More, the Utopians believed

in the importance of protecting human life. The author says that “they

preferred to use slavery as a form of community service order rather than the

death penalty, which is applied when all else had failed” (More, 125). More was

a lawyer and understood more about the ethical position of legal matters

concerning good governance. More was a devoted Roman Catholic faithful, and he

believed that human life is more important than any other thing. Hence its

serenity must be protected without any fear of contradiction. It is upon a good

government to look for ethical means of punishing lawbreakers such as life

imprisonment if the capital offense is legally proved.

Conclusion

Sir

Thomas More has significantly defined how a ‘good government’ should look in

the 16th Century through his book “Utopia.” A good government will

be built in virtuous qualities, both politically and socially. More’s work is

relevant to today’s attributes of a government. In a general way, a good

government should uphold the rule of law with consideration of ethics.

Nonetheless, it is possible for a ‘bad government’ to change to a ‘good

government’ only if it accepts to undergo a practical political and social

transformation for the common good of its sovereign people.

 

  Remember! This is just a sample.

Save time and get your custom paper from our expert writers

 Get started in just 3 minutes
 Sit back relax and leave the writing to us
 Sources and citations are provided
 100% Plagiarism free
error: Content is protected !!
×
Hi, my name is Jenn 👋

In case you can’t find a sample example, our professional writers are ready to help you with writing your own paper. All you need to do is fill out a short form and submit an order

Check Out the Form
Need Help?
Dont be shy to ask