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24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions

[formal statement of a society's structure and rights]

21 ideas
The aim of legislators, and of a good constitution, is to create good citizens [Aristotle]
A city is a community of free people, and the constitution should aim at the common advantage [Aristotle]
The six constitutions are monarchy/tyranny, aristocracy/oligarchy, and polity/democracy [Aristotle]
Constitutions specify distribution of offices, the authorities, and the community's aim [Aristotle]
The greed of the rich is more destructive than the greed of the people [Aristotle]
Any constitution can be made to last for a day or two [Aristotle]
We must decide the most desirable human life before designing a constitution [Aristotle]
The best constitution enables everyone to live the best life [Aristotle]
The four constitutions are democracy (freedom), oligarchy (wealth), aristocracy (custom), tyranny (security) [Aristotle]
Stoics favour a mixture of democracy, monarchy and aristocracy [Stoic school, by Diog. Laertius]
The principle foundations of all states are good laws and good armies [Machiavelli]
It would be absurd if even a free constitution did not impose restraints, for the public good [Hume]
A people, not government, creates a constitution, which is essential for legitimacy [Paine]
Each nation should, from self-interest, join an international security constitution [Kant]
A constitution must always be improved when necessary [Kant]
There is only a constitution if rights are assured, and separation of powers defined [Mirabeau/committee]
A constitution embodies a nation's rights and condition [Hegel]
In American judges rule according to the Constitution, not the law [Tocqueville]
The state coldly claims that it is the people, but that is a lie [Nietzsche]
A just constitution harmonises the different freedoms [Sandel]
A ratified constitution may not be a just constitution [Sandel]