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.