Single Idea 19838

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State]

Full Idea

The government under which, without external means, without naturalisations, without colonies, the citizens become populous and multiply the most, is infallibly the best government.

Gist of Idea

The measure of a successful state is increase in its population

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], III.09)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.191


A Reaction

I'm not sure if this was true in the eighteenth century. Birth control has entirely changed the picture, since affluent people seem less inclined to breed. Presumably poverty increased famine and infant mortality.