Good article.
In terms of ancient history, you can think of government as simply the strongest/most powerful person/group that by force takes power, makes the weaker submit, and lives of their labors - tribal chiefs/kings aren’t out hunting or tilling fields.
There was only a change in appearance in the later and larger european monarchies. The kings and lords had their squabbles, but they got to live the high life on the backs of those below them.
Then came the U.S. that separated from England with a government that largely served the people (there was still some cronyism from the get go) with representatives meeting for only part of the year, with little compensation, and hiring some government workers to perform limited sets of constitutional tasks at pay.
If you look at the lifestyles of politicians today, they look a lot more like kings and lords to me than those of our more humble roots.
Yes... One thing to remember, Early in America, our politicians were paid very little. They had to supplement from their own careers back at home. (Most were lawyers) They also had to pay travel expenses.
Also, government was in session for a bout a couple of months except for emergencies. After that, back home no government worry.