more from Baruch de Spinoza

Single Idea 19930

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / a. Sovereignty]

Full Idea

Either there is no sovereignty nor any right over subjects, or else sovereignty must necessarily extend to everything that might be effective in inducing men to submit to it.

Gist of Idea

Sovereignty must include the power to make people submit to it

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 17.02)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.209


A Reaction

In the seventeenth century this usually includes the death penalty. Refusal to submit may be fairly passive and harmless, so the issue must concern duties, rather than rights. Taxes, jury duty, calls to arms.