“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”Publius (Hamilton, Madison, Jay) · Eseurile federaliste · 1788 · Federalist nr. 51
Government is a necessary evil, created to limit human imperfection and prevent chaos.
The Federalist authors start from an anthropological realism: humans are not perfect beings but have passions and interests that can lead to conflict. If we were angels, we would not need laws and institutions to constrain us. Precisely because we are not, government is a necessary evil that prevents chaos and protects rights.
Why it matters Today, this quote grounds a healthy skepticism toward any power and justifies the rule of law, separation of powers, and constitutional checks.