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Single Idea 19821

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / c. Executive ]

Full Idea

I call 'government' or supreme administration the legitimate exercise of executive power; I call 'prince' or magistrate the man or body charged with that administration.

Gist of Idea

I call the executive power the 'government', which is the 'prince' - a single person, or a group

Source

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

Book Ref

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.174

A Reaction

Whether the prince is one person or many is left up to the legislative body, which is the general will. Rousseau has no view on the matter.

The 5 ideas with the same theme [part of government which administers laws]:

22539 Election of officials by the elected is dangerous, because factions can control it [Aristotle]
22543 In large communities it is better if more people participate in the offices [Aristotle]
22572 Officers should like the constitution, be capable, and have appropriate virtues and justice [Aristotle]
19900 The executive must not be the legislature, or they may exempt themselves from laws [Locke]
19821 I call the executive power the 'government', which is the 'prince' - a single person, or a group [Rousseau]