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Primary Duty of Government

I often hear it said that the primary duty of government is defence of the realm. I disagree. That idea came in with the Stewart kings, especially that dictator Charles I, and is not in line with Biblical thinking. Of course, defence of the realm is important, but it is by no means the primary duty of government.

The primary duty of government is to ensure and enhance what is meant by the Hebrew word tsedeq within its jurisdiction. The word tsedeq is translataed "justice" and "righteousness" but is neither on their own. It means

right relationships among all things in the Created order of things.

[This translation is by Paul Marshall.] Earlier English governments did acknowldge a little of righeousness, such as those shaped by Magna Carta.

Right relationships. This can include defence of the realm. But is it not just defence of the realm but many things too. It is also about responsibility to the people and land and natural world within its jurisdiction, plus responsibility to all others and especially the planet and future generations.

Why do I say this? For positive and negative reasons. The positive reason is that, of the various aspects of reality, modalities of meaningfulness, government, state and jurisdiction are all meaningful in the juridical aspect - the aspect whose meaning kernel is appropriateness, rightness (right relationships among all).

The negative reason is that to emphasise military defence tends to bring a warfare attitude which is evil. We are called to peace and justice, not warfare and elitism. See the page on Canaanism.

And if a government maintains right relationships among all things (not just humans or other nations) then it is less likely to be attacked, and defence is less likely. But those who beef up their arms will be seen as a threat by others who will do the same.

Why is this important? No government is perfect of course, but what we believe to be its primary duty sets its direction and course. Righteousness and peace, or militarism.

Primary Duty of Government

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