Single Idea 19821

[catalogued under 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 Reference

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.