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Single Idea 24377

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people]

Full Idea

The only means by which the wills of the many may be united is that each submit his will to the will of one man or one assembly, so that the will of that man or assembly on common security be taken as the will of all.

Gist of Idea

The unity of a people is only possible through subservience to a man or an assembly

Source

Samuel Pufendorf (On the Duty of Man and Citizen [1673], II.06)

A Reaction

Only anarchists could, I think, disagree with this. Like Hobbes, Pufendorf preferred one man for the job (to avoid conflict), but all other modern countries acknowledge an assembly, usually elected. He doesn't acknowledge Hobbes's social contract.

Book Reference

Pufendorf,Samuel: 'On the Duty of Man and Citizen' [CUP 1991], p.136