"By definition, a government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more"

Albert Camus is recommending that federal governments are not ethical entities, and that they are not efficient in making decisions based upon conscience. He indicates that federal governments are limited to making decisions based upon policy, which they are not capable of making decisions based on morality or ethical considerations. This is a crucial indicate think about when assessing the actions of governments, as it suggests that federal governments are not always making decisions that remain in the best interests of their citizens. It also indicates that citizens must understand the constraints of their federal governments and must be proactive in advocating for policies that remain in line with their own ethical values. Ultimately, Camus is suggesting that federal governments need to not be trusted to make decisions based on morality, which people ought to know this limitation.