Question

"What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary."—James Madison In at least two paragraphs, discuss the meaning of this quote in relation to one of the following principles—limited government, natural rights, separation of powers, or rule of law.

Answer 1

We make the laws which reflect our moral and ethical codes of conduct or lack thereof. If we were perfect, there would be no need for laws or government.

Answer 2

This statement by James Madison argues that men are not perfect, and that human nature can be flawed. He believes government exists in order to control and limit the impact of these flaws.

One example is the separation of powers. The principle of the separation of powers states that power must be divided among different branches of government. The branches limit and control each other, and safeguard against the abuse of a tyrant. If people were not corrupted by power, or did not have a tendency to abuse power for their own gain, then the separation of powers would not be necessary. However, because human nature is flawed, these measures are necessary in government.