Final answer:
Every society requires laws and a government to protect its interests and maintain social order by balancing individual rights with the welfare of the group.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since every society has interests to protect and a need for social order, every society must have laws and government. Laws are necessary to define acceptable behaviors and to protect the rights and liberties of citizens. A government, consisting of institutions and individuals with recognized authority, is essential to create and execute these laws, make decisions on behalf of the citizens, and resolve any conflict between individual interests and the common good.
The government's role is to moderate the tension between individuals' freedoms and the welfare of society. For instance, regarding the right to smoke tobacco versus the group's health interest, the government may decide to implement restrictions. Similarly, governments use taxation to redistribute wealth and provide for societal needs like policing and social welfare, reflecting a balance between individual wealth and societal goods.
In summary, governments and laws are foundational to ensuring social order and managing the inherent conflicts within society, in line with the principles of social contract theory. They are a testament to the saying from James Madison, "If men were angels, governments would not be necessary".