Literature

Look around you. This world is full of disasters, injustice and suffering. Many people never receive real relief, vindication or peace. This misery exists in spite of—and often because of—the governments that are supposed to protect and enhance the lives of human beings.

As God’s Word puts it, mankind has not known “the way of peace” (Isaiah 59:8; Romans 3:17).

Nearly 6,000 years of human history attest to man’s failure to form upright governments. Beginning with ancient Babylon, we have seen one example after another of corruption, tyranny and outright preying on human beings committed by human governments. Throughout this history, mankind has tried virtually every form of governance possible: monarchy, autocracy, oligarchy and combinations of these. Nations like China and Russia have embraced communism. Others have turned to fascism. Northern European nations are famous for various forms of modern socialism. None has brought lasting peace or happiness. Following World War ii, the leading nations set up the United Nations to lead the way toward international government. It too is an utter failure.

What is the alternative to these governments except chaos and anarchy?

About 250 years ago, the Founding Fathers of the United States were in a unique position in history: They had the opportunity to begin a government afresh. Protected and enriched by favorable geography, and informed by centuries of history, they could build this new form of government on some of the world’s highest principles to protect their citizens from some of the world’s lowest vices.