In this brief article, I am offering an ideal set of core values for any society – and a definition of good government. 

Of course, my list reflects my background in a traditional Western religious and philosophical culture. It may be that an African or Eastern person might want to modify these, but I suspect there would be a broad agreement. 

Apart from this brief introduction, my list is offered without further comment, acknowledging that a full expansion of even one item on this list would require considerable space. 

For those less inclined to lists, or who would prefer to reduce the list to a single sentence, here is my definition of what comprises proper human government. Let all politicians take note!

Good government creates a social environment where any person can freely choose to relax after a day of work or at the week’s end in their own home or garden, worship if they choose, and go out to enjoy a meal or entertainment with family or friends.

This vignette in fewer than 50 words contains elements of all twenty of the following conditions for a free and open civilised society in its elements. Some are implicit, some implied, but all are present. It describes government that is limited, but effective for a community that is free, resourced and content with life.

1.      Respect for religious faith and practice, allowing freedom to choose a religious faith, while recognising the primacy of Christian faith for our culture.

2.      Respect, care, kindness and tolerance of other people.

3.      Recognition of earlier inhabitants of the land and the particular needs of their culture that has been overtaken by the current dominant culture.

4.      Promotion of beauty, nobility of character and ambition, especially in mass and social media. 

5.      Honesty and integrity at personal, corporate and government levels.

6.      Responsibility and accountability in both public and private behaviours.

7.      Respect for family, at personal, corporate and government levels.

8.      Respect for all human life, at all ages and stages, in all places.

9.      Protection of the dignity and carefree innocence of childhood, respecting family life, and the loving nurture of mothers and fathers above all others competing for influence over children.

10. Respect for work, study and personal endeavour.

11. Respect for the authority of parents within families, and civil authorities within the community.

12. Respect for public and private property.

13. Insistence on the dignity of a place to live for all persons, and a safe space to nurture a family.

14. Access to primary and secondary education for all, with pathways to further education, vocational training or employment beyond secondary education accessible under reasonable conditions relating to ability, skill and contribution to costs.

15. Freedom to communicate ideas, in public and in private, within boundaries of mutual respect, but always respecting truth and fairness. 

16. Protection of minorities or marginalised groups against incitement to hatred, but not necessarily from respectful analytical description or address.

17. Respect for the physical environment, the natural world and sentient creatures, while honouring the primacy of the genuine needs of human beings over physical environments, flora or fauna.

18. Respect for enterprise, and the reasonable capacity for employment of others as required for sustainable growth and management of an enterprise, without undue government or other organised impediment to the management of staff and enterprise.

19. Respect for the rights and benefits and rewards of employees and contract labour, including commitment to remuneration and conditions that reflect reasonable living standards and family life.

20. Access to affordable public health care for all essential health issues.