Full Idea
The freest state is that whose laws are founded on sound reason; for there each man can be free whenever he wishes, that is, he can live under the guidance of reason with his whole mind.
Gist of Idea
The freest state is a rational one, where people can submit themselves to reason
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.10)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.201
A Reaction
I wonder if is not so much that the state is rational as that it is right. Freedom is submission to the truth. Rationality is only good because it arrives at truth. But is there a 'truth' about how a state should be run? Enlightenment optimism.
Related Idea
Idea 19922 People are only free if they are guided entirely by reason [Spinoza]