The richest man in Rome once said that you can't consider yourself truly rich unless you can afford your own private army. ;) Even more interesting is the fact that Crassus acquired his wealth by (1) declaring rich people enemies of the state and seizing their assets and (2) purchasing houses that were burning down and then putting out the fire with his own men. Unless you're an anarcho-capitalist, you'll certainly recognize that a representative government is necessary to put a stop to such behaviors.