The Politics of Johannes Althusius.
An abridged translation of the Third Edition of
POLITICA METHODICE DIGESTA,
ATQUE EXEMPLIS SACRIS
ET PROFANIS
ILLUSTRATA
And including the Prefaces to the First and Third
Editions
Translated, with an Introduction by FREDERICK S. CARNEY
Preface by Carl J. Friedrich
BEACON PRESS
BOSTON
Copyright © 1964 by
Frederick S. Carney
Library of Congress catalogue card number: 64-20498
Published simultaneously in Canada by S. J. Reginald Saunders and Co.,
Ltd., Toronto
All rights reserved Printed in the United States of
America
CONTENTS
Preface by Carl J. Friedrich page vii
Translator's Introduction xiii
The New Interest in the Political Theory of Althusius.
The Basic Structure of His Thought.
His Major Literary Sources.
Some Notes on This Translation
Politics Methodically Set Forth, and Illustrated with Sacred and Profane Examples
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION (1603) 1
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION (1614) 8
I THE GENERAL ELEMENTS OF POLITICS 12
IX POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY, AND ECCLESIASTICAL COMMUNICATION 61
X-XVII SECULAR COMMUNICATION 74
XVIII THE EPHORS AND THEIR DUTIES 87
XIX-XX THE CONSTITUTING OF THE SUPREME MAGISTRATE 115
XXI-XXVII POLITICAL PRUDENCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH 130
XXVIII ECCLESIASTICAL ADMINISTRATION 154
XXIX-XXXVII SECULAR ADMINISTRATION 170
XXXVIII TYRANNY AND ITS REMEDIES 185
XXXIX TYPES OF SUPREME MAGISTRATE 195
Appendices
I COLLATION OF THIS TRANSLATION WITH THE 1614 EDITION 205
II LIST OF ALTHUSIUS' LITERARY SOURCES REFERRED TO IN THIS TRANSLATION 209
III SELECT LIST OF RECENT WRITINGS ON ALTHUSIUS 220