why do we need a government?

Government is required to maintain personal freedom. Personal freedom can only be maintained if the people, the community and the government each have some power over the others. If either of the 3 get too much power over the other two, it is personal freedom that suffers. The government exerts its power through laws and regulations. The community exerts its power through community standards. The people (individuals) exert its power through voting and the decisions we make. We've seen through the world and throughout history what happens when the government gets too much power. If the community gets too much power then we get things like the Salem Witch Trials or Slavery. An example of what happens when the people exert too much power is in riots and unwritten rules that stifle the freedom of some in favor of the freedom of others. If you don't have community standards and government laws... you have no freedom.

Well I suppose it is something that has naturally occurred for us. Individually, everyone wants the best for themselves. A long time ago people must have started to realised that the only way for everyone to get the best for themselves is to have people regulate things for them. From this government has grown and grown into what it is today. The alternative would be anarchy, which surprisingly a lot of people believe would be a good thing. I don't understand why.

i didnt read the other comments, but blame yourself for making such an interesting comment. We have a government because a few rich people decided that they were smarter than the rest of the population, and weve just stuck with it since then. Today it is used to suppress people, and its not necessary anymore than mtv or pther "popular opinion" is necessary.

Because we need someone to lead us. Even though we always tell ourselves that we can manage ourselves. Maybe if only ourselves but our country need some more management than we do although a lot of those who sit abuses their power. Humans are just so greedy....