Final answer:
The government and the court system can both profit and protect through the use of individuals like Gulliver, as metaphors for power. The courts, in particular, are suited to safeguard individual rights while balancing these against the greater good of society, being guided by the Rule of Law, and free from the political pressures that elected officials face.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critique of the government made through the portrayal of Gulliver reflects concerns that can be compared with modern skepticism toward government. In the story of Gulliver, the court and the government might be seen as profiting from the use of Gulliver's unique situation and abilities, which is a metaphor for the broader use and abuse of power by governments.
However, the real function of government policymakers and courts is to balance individual rights with the greater good of society. For instance, Gideon's case exemplifies how individuals can appeal to the justice system to assert their rights, in this case, the right to legal representation even for those who cannot afford it. This highlights the role of courts in protecting individual rights, which are sometimes better safeguarded by the judiciary than by the elected branches of government, due to the judiciary’s ability to take a more detached and principled stand based on the rule of law.
Ultimately, both historical and contemporary perspectives tend to agree that while corruption and self-servicing behavior can exist within governmental systems, the primary goal of such systems, ideally, is the welfare of the people. The concept of the Rule of Law, belief in democratic principles, and the protection of individual rights are foundational to this goal, as underscored by the balance struck by courts between individual liberties and societal interests.