Single Idea 19820

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government]

Full Idea

Every free action has a moral cause, the will, and a physical cause, the power to act. ...The body politic has the same moving causes, namely the legislative power, and executive power. Nothing should be done without their concurrence.

Gist of Idea

The state has a legislature and an executive, just like the will and physical power in a person

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], III.01)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.173


A Reaction

[compressed] This terminology is now standard in political philosophy. An absolute monarch like Edward III presumably embodies both branches.