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Single Idea 18294
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions
]
Full Idea
The state is the coldest of all cold monsters. Coldly it lies, too; and this lie creeps from its mouth: 'I, the state, am the people'. It is a lie!
Gist of Idea
The state coldly claims that it is the people, but that is a lie
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Thus Spake Zarathustra [1884], 1.12)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Thus Spake Zarathustra', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1969], p.75
A Reaction
This strikes me as just as true even after everyone gets the vote. Rulers can't help gradually forgetting about the people.
The
21 ideas
with the same theme
[formal statement of a society's structure and rights]:
21046
|
The aim of legislators, and of a good constitution, is to create good citizens
[Aristotle]
|
22546
|
A city is a community of free people, and the constitution should aim at the common advantage
[Aristotle]
|
2821
|
The six constitutions are monarchy/tyranny, aristocracy/oligarchy, and polity/democracy
[Aristotle]
|
22558
|
Constitutions specify distribution of offices, the authorities, and the community's aim
[Aristotle]
|
22566
|
The greed of the rich is more destructive than the greed of the people
[Aristotle]
|
2835
|
Any constitution can be made to last for a day or two
[Aristotle]
|
2973
|
We must decide the most desirable human life before designing a constitution
[Aristotle]
|
22580
|
The best constitution enables everyone to live the best life
[Aristotle]
|
5852
|
The four constitutions are democracy (freedom), oligarchy (wealth), aristocracy (custom), tyranny (security)
[Aristotle]
|
1781
|
Stoics favour a mixture of democracy, monarchy and aristocracy
[Stoic school, by Diog. Laertius]
|
6309
|
The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies
[Machiavelli]
|
21091
|
It would be absurd if even a free constitution did not impose restraints, for the public good
[Hume]
|
23261
|
A people, not government, creates a constitution, which is essential for legitimacy
[Paine]
|
21077
|
Each nation should, from self-interest, join an international security constitution
[Kant]
|
21078
|
A constitution must always be improved when necessary
[Kant]
|
19861
|
There is only a constitution if rights are assured, and separation of powers defined
[Mirabeau/committee]
|
22796
|
A constitution embodies a nation's rights and condition
[Hegel]
|
22675
|
In American judges rule according to the Constitution, not the law
[Tocqueville]
|
18294
|
The state coldly claims that it is the people, but that is a lie
[Nietzsche]
|
21034
|
A just constitution harmonises the different freedoms
[Sandel]
|
21037
|
A ratified constitution may not be a just constitution
[Sandel]
|