Thoreau's Theory

Thoreau explains that one should fight for what he believes in because one's conscience is his driving force to change something in order to establish justice. Thoreau believes, "That government is best which governs least." He believes that one will someday be able to have a government that does not govern at all. Because he believes government rarely proves useful or efficient. The government power is always abused and perverted and no longer represents what the people actually want or need. He gives the Mexican war as an example.

Self- Reliance Today

Self-reliance can be a person, a group, a community, or even a country. Self-Reliant countries are those who have food security and economic stability for their people. They do not need economic help from outside nations and have enough food without importing. Today, it is really hard to find a nation not depending on another in one way or another. However, Sweden is one of the few countries that is still self-reliant. It can provide enough food for its population and is economically stable without outside help. Surely if Emerson was alive he would have given it a thumbs up.