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Single Idea 24378

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy]

Full Idea

Where sovereignty is in the hands of an assembly consisting of all heads of households, this is called democracy.

Gist of Idea

Democracy is rule by an assembly of the heads of households

Source

Samuel Pufendorf (On the Duty of Man and Citizen [1673], II.08)

A Reaction

He is explicit that the heads of households should always be men, though he never explains why. A useful reminder that democracy does not entail universal suffrage (or even elections).

Book Reference

Pufendorf,Samuel: 'On the Duty of Man and Citizen' [CUP 1991], p.142