Civil Government in the United States Considered with Some Reference to Its Origins

"Civil Government in the United States Considered with Some Reference to Its Origins" by John Fiske is an educational text written in the late 19th century. This work aims to serve as both a textbook and a resource for general readers interested in the history and functioning of American political institutions. Fiske explores the evolution of civil governance in the United States, emphasizing the importance of understanding the origins and changes of governmental systems over time. The opening of the book establishes a foundation for exploring the concepts of taxation and government. Fiske draws a parallel between historical grievances related to taxation and various revolutions, particularly highlighting how taxation has been a central issue in shaping civil governance. He defines taxes and the government's role in collecting them, contrasting this with the notion of robbery. Fiske proposes that government is fundamentally about the collective management of public affairs and underscores the importance of understanding these principles as essential knowledge for good citizenship. His emphasis on historical lessons aims to prepare readers to understand the responsibilities and rights of citizens in a democratic society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Fiske may refer to:John Fiske (philosopher) (1842–1901), American philosopher and historian John Fiske (1939–2021), author and Professor Emeritus at the University Wisconsin-Madison John Safford Fiske (1838–1907), U.S. diplomat involved in a sex scandal