ill be found in the factthat while man is created for the social state and is accordingly so formed as to feel more intensely what affects him directly than what affects him indirectly through others I intentionally avoid the expression selfish feelingsbecause, as commonly used, it implies an unusual excess of the individual over the social feelings in the person to whom it is applied (270).Calhoun believes although personal opinions are good for the community, the important thing is that the individual should have a role in the community if they are able to. He says that society is primary and says, it is the first in the order of things and in the dignity of its object; that of society being primary to preserve and perfect our race and that of government secondary and subordinate to preserve and perfect society (270). Calhoun believes that man should take the initiative to better and promote the race. He believes that maintaining society is paramount in the success of humanity than the role of government. The essay also notes that government should be according to Calhoun, administered by men in whom, like others, the individual are stronger than the social feelings (271). Basically, strong men are needed in the administration of a government and their feeling should be paramount of those in society.Calhoun next goes into the role of the Constitution. He believes that it is in place to ensure that the goals one of leader do not compromise the goals of society. Consequently, Calhoun feels that the danger exists that the powers that be will convert into instruments to oppress the rest of the community (271). He notes that it is prevented because, that by which is prevented is what is meant by constitution, in its most comprehensive sense, when applied to government (271). A Disquisition on Government also deals with the concept of natural vs. human law. Calhoun says, Constitution is the contrivance of man, while government wh...
