Single Idea 19962

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life]

Full Idea

It is unreasonable to impute to men, as Hobbes does, the desire to subjugate one another. The idea of sovereignty [l'empire] and domination is so complex and depends on so many other ideas, that it could not be the first to occur to men.

Gist of Idea

Men do not desire to subjugate one another; domination is a complex and advanced idea

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 01.02)

Book Reference

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.112


Related Idea

Idea 19961 Primitive people would be too vulnerable and timid to attack anyone, so peace would reign [Montesquieu]