“And government (to define it de facto, or according to modern prudence) is an art whereby some man, or some few men, subject a city or a nation, and rule it according to his or their private interest; which, because the laws in such cases are made according to the interest of a man, or of some few families, may be said to be the empire of men, and not of laws.”
Quote by James Harrington
Work
Harrington: 'The Commonwealth of Oceana' and 'A System of Politics'
The Commonwealth of Oceana delves into the political and social structure of an imagined Oceania, while A System of Politics examines political theories and their application. more
Author
James Harrington
James Harrington (January 3, 1611 - September 11, 1677) was a prominent British political philosopher, historian, and writer of the 17th century, best known for his work 'Oceana'. more