Final answer:
Governments are instituted because human passions often require constraints to align with reason and justice, thereby providing necessary structure, law, and order to society. They aim to secure unalienable rights while balancing the need for order with the need for liberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote "Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint" suggests that governments are formed because human nature is such that people's actions may not always be governed by reason and justice. Without some form of control or constraints, society might descend into chaos or injustice. Governments are, therefore, instituted to provide this necessary structure and law and order, constraining human passions and ensuring that society functions smoothly and fairly.
This concept reflects the ideas presented in various historical documents that underscore the idea that governments are established to secure unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which were detailed in the United States Declaration of Independence. The government's authority comes from the consent of the governed, and it should work to ensure that everyone has a just influence over its actions. At its core, the establishment of government is about balancing the need for order with the need for liberty, addressing the flaws of human nature while securing individual freedom and collective happiness.