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bound unwillingly to obey him。
（16：45） In this manner a society can be formed without any violation
of natural right； and the covenant can always be strictly kept … that is； if
each individual hands over the whole of his power to the body politic； the
latter will then possess sovereign natural right over all things； that is； it
will have sole and unquestioned dominion； and everyone will be bound to
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obey； under pain of the severest punishment。 （46） A body politic of this
kind is called a Democracy； which may be defined as a society which
wields all its power as a whole。 （47） The sovereign power is not restrained
by any laws； but everyone is bound to obey it in all things； such is the state
of things implied when men either tacitly or expressly handed over to it all
their power of self…defence； or in other words； all their right。 （48） For if
they had wished to retain any right for themselves； they ought to have
taken precautions for its defence and preservation； as they have not done
so； and indeed could not have done so without dividing and consequently
ruining the state； they placed themselves absolutely at the mercy of the
sovereign power； and； therefore； having acted （as we have shown） as
reason and necessity demanded； they are obliged to fulfil the commands of
the sovereign power； however absurd these may be； else they will be
public enemies； and will act against reason； which urges the preservation
of the state as a primary duty。 （49） For reason bids us choose the least of
two evils。
（16：50） Furthermore； this danger of submitting absolutely to the
dominion and will of another； is one which may be incurred with a light
heart： for we have shown that sovereigns only possess this right of
imposing their will； so long as they have the full power to enforce it： if
such power be lost their right to command is lost also； or lapses to those
who have assumed it and can keep it。 （51） Thus it is very rare for
sovereigns to impose thoroughly irrational commands； for they are bound
to consult their own interests； and retain their power by consulting the
public good and acting according to the dictates of reason； as Seneca says；
〃violenta imperia nemo continuit diu。〃 （52） No one can long retain a
tyrant's sway。
（16：53） In a democracy； irrational commands are still less to be feared：
for it is almost impossible that the majority of a people； especially if it be a
large one； should agree in an irrational design： and； moreover； the basis
and aim of a democracy is to avoid the desires as irrational； and to bring
men as far as possible under the control of reason； so that they may live in
peace and harmony： if this basis be removed the whole fabric falls to ruin。
（16：54） Such being the ends in view for the sovereign power； the duty
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of subjects is； as I have said； to obey its commands； and to recognize no
right save that which it sanctions。
＇16：4＇ （55） It will； perhaps； be thought that we are turning subjects into
slaves： for slaves obey commands and free men live as they like； but this
idea is based on a misconception； for the true slave is he who is led away
by his pleasures and can neither see what is good for him nor act
accordingly： he alone is free who lives with free consent under the entire
guidance of reason。
（16：56） Action in obedience to orders does take away freedom in a
certain sense； but it does not； therefore； make a man a slave； all depends
on the object of the action。 （57） If the object of the action be the good of
the state； and not the good of the agent； the latter is a slave and does
himself no good： but in a state or kingdom where the weal of the whole
people； and not that of the ruler； is the supreme law； obedience to the
sovereign power does not make a man a slave； of no use to himself； but a
subject。 （58） Therefore； that state is the freest whose laws are founded on
sound reason； so that every member of it may； if he will； be free ＇Endnote
27＇； that is； live with full consent under the entire guidance of reason。
（16：59） Children； though they are bound to obey all the commands of
their parents； are yet not slaves： for the commands of parents look
generally to the children's benefit。
（60） We must； therefore； acknowledge a great difference between a
slave； a son； and a subject； their positions may be thus defined。 （61） A
slave is one who is bound to obey his master's orders； though they are
given solely in the master's interest： a son is one who obeys his father's
orders； given in his own interest； a subject obeys the orders of the
sovereign power； given for the common interest； wherein he is included。
（16：62） I think I have now shown sufficiently clearly the basis of a
democracy： I have especially desired to do so； for I believe it to be of all
forms of government the most natural； and the most consonant with
individual liberty。 （63） In it no one transfers his natural right so absolutely
that he has no further voice in affairs； he only hands it over to the majority
of a society； whereof he is a unit。 Thus all men remain as they were in the
state of nature； equals。
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（16：64） This is the only form of government which I have treated of at
length； for it is the one most akin to my purpose of showing the benefits of
freedom in a state。
（65） I may pass over the fundamental principles of other forms of
government； for we may gather from what has been said whence their
right arises without going into its origin。 （66） The possessor of sovereign
power； whether he be one； or many； or the whole body politic； has the
sovereign right of imposing any commands he pleases： and he who has
either voluntarily； or under compulsion； transferred the right to defend him
to another； has； in so doing； renounced his natural right and is therefore
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