As was pointed out on p. 1.4:25, for any conceptual class of functional entities created by human beings, the need that explains the existence of such entities will almost always be essential to understanding their other distinguishing characteristics—and therefore becomes the concept's epistemologically proper defining characteristic. Thus we define government as an organization that is the ultimate arbiter of the use of force within a geographical territory. Often proposed is a an alternative definition (

), referring to an "exclusive power" of governments to wield force within their territories. This latter definition, however, is too narrow, since it excludes some conceivable organizations that would fulfill the essential role of government as well as our common understanding of the meaning of the term. For instance, an organization might allow citizens' arrests, private posses, and the like, without surrendering the power of ultimate arbiter. Such an institution would clearly still constitute a government, regardless of whether or not one regards such private actions as morally justifiable, or whether or not they should be accepted by public policy.

Wealth, Power, and Freedom

Discussing various ends to which the apparatus of government may be applied, people frequently apply terms in an ambiguous or intellectually sloppy manner—especially the concepts wealth, power, and freedom. We therefore need to clarify these concepts and to correct some misconceptions with regard to them.

^Previous