"That government is not a necessary good but an unavoidable evil"

Lyn Nofziger’s statement, “That government is not a necessary good but an unavoidable evil,” reflects a deeply skeptical view of the role governments play in human affairs. Instead of considering government as a positive or beneficial institution, he casts it as something inherently problematic, an evil to be tolerated only because its alternative, anarchy or chaos, is worse.

Central to this perspective is the classical liberal and libertarian suspicion of concentrated power. Human history is replete with examples where governmental authority, when unchecked, has corrupted leaders, infringed upon personal liberties, and stifled economic and social freedoms. The tools of government, laws, regulations, the power to tax, the monopoly on force, carry profound potential for abuse. The idea is not that every government action or program is harmful, but rather that the structure and essential nature of governmental power pose constant risks to individual freedom and flourishing.

Referring to government as “necessary” acknowledges that some level of collective organization is required for societal order, establishing laws, protecting property, defending against external threats. Calling it “unavoidable” highlights the notion that, while governing bodies can create significant problems, their existence is a lesser evil compared to the disorder and violence likely to arise without them. The label “evil” underscores a belief that governmental power, by its coercive nature, always carries the seeds of oppression and overreach.

Nofziger’s view carries an implicit warning: citizens should approach government with caution, skepticism, and vigilance. Rather than trusting in the goodwill of political leaders or the benevolence of the state, people ought to remember that governmental mechanisms are prone to misuse. Safeguards, such as constitutional limits, the rule of law, transparency, and a culture of dissent, are required to restrain government and protect individual rights. Ultimately, this worldview urges society to minimize reliance on state power and maximize the sphere of individual liberty.