How does one keep from blowing their entire paycheck rather than pay their own bills? What holds us back from descending into animals that steal and scavenge at will? The answer is authority. Everything that is good in life and every freedom enjoyed will also require forms of restraint. Restraint and governing are different words for the same concept. Where there is lack of restraint, people become slaves to their passions. It is necessary that individuals practice self-control. This is the foundation for justice too.  As individuals pursue their interests they must take into consideration the passions and needs of others.

If everyone was perfect at seeing the big picture, there would be no conflicts. Everyone would form mutual understandings and justice would prevail. But everyone has their own views on what is just. This view will always lean toward self-promotion. It is nothing to be ashamed of. But because of this, the time will come when our understanding of what is right will conflict with that of another person. Individuals can also become conflicted within themselves. That is when rules are applied as another layer of authority.

Nobody likes rules because they can conflict with our own ambitions and sense of justice. If a person has trouble with spending, they would start a budget; rules that limit spending on the things they desire so they can have the things they need. Rather than having a nagging person looking over their shoulders at the cash register, limits are put into words and numbers. The goal is to have rules that everyone agrees on. If everyone feels the rules are fair and just, they will be more apt to obey them.

The less mature a person is, the more rules they need. Children need parents and it is natural that they submit to them. As they become adults, they acquire maturity that shows in their actions. Soon they are considered mature enough to take on the world without direct supervision. Authority is passed on to them and they become responsible for their own lives.

After people become responsible for their own lives, rules become voluntary agreements rather than demands. This is when social contracts are formed that range from lease agreements to governing authorities. When mature people need protection from the aggression of lawbreakers in their community and those outside, they will form pacts we call governments.

It is obvious that that authority is good and necessary for us to enjoy a fulfilled life and to preserve freedom. In part 2 we will examine what goes wrong in these agreements. Since no one can claim to be an angel and our views are one sided, principles have to be followed when forming agreements so they remain fair to everyone.