Democratic Civilization
Democratic Civilization, officially Democratic Civilization: the Social Contract, is a book written by Matias Gustierrez in 1680 AN. The book theorized the best way to establish a political community n the face of the problems of current society, which Gustierrez had described in his previous works Observations of the Liberal State (1668 AN) and The Humanist Democracy (1676 AN). Gustierrez explained his philosophy and went at length to promote his ideas about Federalism, Democracy, and Equality. Historians have claimed it is one of the most complete books regarding both Humanism, which was Gustierrez's personal political affiliation, and Democracy at large. The book was divided into four volumes, which were published in the same year. The title was chosen from the subtitles of the first and last books, by the publisher. Gustierrez persisted in refusing credit for the title throughout the rest of his life. His own title had simply been 'On Democracy', which has also become a unofficial reference title to the book.
The book influenced the political development of the new state of Alduria-Wechua, especially in regards to its support of popular sovereignty, a relatively young idea in monarchist statehood. It also helped in large part to promote the ideology of Humanism, which dominated the early Federation of Alduria-Wechua. Since Gustierrez's death in 1705 AN, the Federal Humanist Party has regarded it as one of the fundamental documents of their party in terms of their ideology. It also stands close to the book Utopia by Francesco Patrallez in terms of citations in the field of political science.
Themes
Democratic Civilization stands as a purely theoretical text, however Gustierrez utilizes the method of thought experiments in large part throughout the book. In essence, the entire book is one large thought experiment, dealing with the question 'How do we build the best political society?', as Gustierrez explains right in his opening remarks. Gustierrez used both philosophical ideas, such as ethics and logic, but also purely political scientific theories that were prevalent at the time. His idea about the Liberal Democracy and the Social Contract were inspired in large part by the political development in Alduria-Wechua which started around the same time. His work has made popular several terms still used in political sciences.
In his first volume, he elaborated in large part about the Social Contract, Popular Sovereignty, and the State. His second volume goes in depth about the constitutional state, as well as legislation and the national community. His third volume explains at length the ideas about government, as well as democracy and monarchy. It is the longest volume in the book. His last volume explained the mechanisms of government and democracy, with ideas about elections, officials, and the role of religion in government.
Synopsis
Democratic Civilization, Volume I
Democratic Civilization Volume I, subtitled 'The Social Contract', contains the bulk of the philosophical ideas of Gustierrez, with chapters about the Social Contract, Popular sovereignty, and the State. Much of the theories of this volume were inspired by the Humanist ideology that Gustierrez professed. It was published on 04.II.1680 AN, and was dedicated to close friend and fellow philosopher Emilio Acaran.
Democratic Civilization, Volume II
Democratic Civilization Volume II, subtitled 'The Laws of Nations', elaborated on Gustierrez's ideas about the methods and layout of government. His Constitutionalism and Liberalism were most prevalent here, and it was a prelude to his later leadership in starting the Essays on Liberty. It was published on 14.V.1680 AN, and was dedicated to Matias' son José.
Democratic Civilization, Volume III
Democratic Civilization Volume III, subtitled 'The Machinery of Government', explained at length the different forms of governments that existed and what government Gustierrez believed would be best for political society. He promoted the Liberal Democracy the most, as it was his personal preference, but worked hard to present the merits of other forms of government as well. It was published on 22.VI.1680 AN, and was also dedicated to José Gustierrez.
Democratic Civilization, Volume IV
Democratic Civilization Volume IV, subtitled 'The Tools of A Democratic Civilization', showed the methods and tools by which liberal democracy was to work. It is perhaps the best known, because it lent its subtitle to the overall title of the book. It was published on 09.XI.1680 AN, and was dedicated to Matias' wife Carolina.
| Volume I | Part | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| I | I: From the State of Nature to the Civil State | 1: Subject of the First Volume |
| 2: Primitive Societies | ||
| 3: Right of the Strongest | ||
| 4: Slavery and Serfdom | ||
| 5: Returning to a First Convention | ||
| II: The Social Contract | 6: The Social Pact | |
| 7: The Sovereign | ||
| 8: The Social Contract Abroad | ||
| 9: Religion and the Social Contract | ||
| III: The State | 10: The Civil State | |
| 11: The Real Domain | ||
| 12: The Political State | ||
| 13: A Society of Laws | ||
| II | I: On the Sovereignty | 1: That Sovereignty is inalienable |
| 2: That Sovereignty is indivisible | ||
| 3: About If the General Will can Err | ||
| 4: The limits of the Sovereign Power | ||
| 5: The right to Life and Death | ||
| II: The Constitution and the People | 6: The Constitution | |
| 7: The Law | ||
| 8: The Lawmaker | ||
| 9: The People | ||
| 10: The People's Flaws | ||
| 11: The People's Dreams | ||
| 12: The Different Systems of Legislation | ||
| 13: Division of the Laws | ||
| 14: Supremacy of the Law | ||
| III | I: Government in General | 1: Government in General |
| 2: The Principle which Constitutes the Different Forms of Government | ||
| 3: Classification of Governments | ||
| II: The Forms of Government | 4: Democracy | |
| 5: Aristocracy | ||
| 6: Monarchy | ||
| 7: Autocracy | ||
| 8: Mixed Governments | ||
| III: The Real Nature of Government | 9: That every Form of Government is not fit for every country | |
| 10: The Marks of a Good Government | ||
| 11: The Abuse of the Government and its tendency to Degenerate | ||
| 12: The Dissolution of the Political Body | ||
| 13: How the Sovereign Authority is Maintained | ||
| 14: How the Sovereign Authority is Maintained, Continued | ||
| 15: How the Sovereign Authority is Maintained, Continued | ||
| 16: Deputies or Representatives? | ||
| 17: That the Institution of the Government is not a Contract | ||
| 18: The Institution of the Government | ||
| 19: Means of Preventing Usurpations of the Government | ||
| IV: The Government over Time | 20: The Political Nature of Time | |
| 21: That Government is bound by Time | ||
| 22: Time and the Evolution of Society through it | ||
| V: The absence of Government | 23: That absence of Government is absence of Civilization | |
| 24: That Political Society requires Government | ||
| 25: That Laws and Government need one another | ||
| IV | I: The General Will | 1: That the General Will is indestructible |
| II: Elections | 2: Voting | |
| 3: Elections in General | ||
| 4: Equality in Elections | ||
| 5: Proportional Representation | ||
| III: Public Office | 6: The Popular Society | |
| 7: The Executive Offices | ||
| 8: The Offices of the Lawmakers | ||
| 9: The Offices of Judgement | ||
| 10: The Press | ||
| 11: The Military | ||
| IV: Miscellaneous | 12: Civil Religion | |
| 13: Conclusion |
