Society is a very complex structure that many have tried to mould, manoeuvre and sometimes even manipulate. Thoreau in his endeavour has been very clairvoyant when it comes to the role of the public in how the government chooses to govern its people. While specifically talking about American Government, he plainly suggests that people are not 'obliged' to follow something that they don't think is right. One should simply distance themselves from the evils of the government because meekly following them would mean giving your approval for the same and thus fanning it further. An intelligent read to understand yet another dimension of the society!