16.1 Basic Functions of Government

Question 1

What is the governments monopoly on violence?

Answer 1

Violent acts can be conducted by the military and the civilian police arms of government, and through its judicial system the government can deprive people of their liberty by incarcerating them or, in extreme cases, by executing them.

Question 2

Why is it important for the governments monopoly on violence be kept in check?

Answer 2

When the government’s monopoly of violence is secure and functions with effective restrictions against its arbitrary use, citizens can safely carry out their ordinary economic and social activities.

Question 3

According the Adam Smith, what is the first and second duty of the sovereign?

Answer 3

The first duty of the sovereign [is] that of protecting the society from the violence and invasion of other independent societies… The second duty of the sovereign [is] that of protecting, as far as possible, every member of the society from the injustice or oppression of every other member of it.