Question

'Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one'. Who stated so?

• A. Thomas Paine
• B. Gregory Peck
• C. Jefferson
• D. Dicey

Hint:

For questions involving famous quotes, try to associate the quote with the author's main body of work or historical context. Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" is a foundational text of the American Revolution, and this quote perfectly captures its anti-monarchical, pro-liberty spirit.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is a famous quote from political philosophy that reflects a liberal and often libertarian view of government. It suggests that government is an institution that, by its very nature, restricts freedom and is only tolerated because it is necessary to prevent a worse state of affairs (like chaos or anarchy).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
This statement was made by Thomas Paine, an English-born American political activist, philosopher, and revolutionary.
The quote appears in his influential pamphlet "Common Sense", published in 1776. In this work, Paine argued passionately for the American colonies' independence from Great Britain.
He distinguished between society and government, stating, "Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one." This set the tone for his argument that the British monarchy had become an intolerable form of government from which the colonies must break free.
The other options are incorrect: Gregory Peck was an actor, Thomas Jefferson was a US President who held similar but distinct views, and A.V. Dicey was a British jurist known for his work on the rule of law.