The Six Books of the Republic
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| Original title | Les Six Livres de la République |
|---|---|
| Genre | Political philosophy |
Publication date | 1576 |
The Six Books of the Republic or Six Books of the Commonwealth (original title in French: Les Six Livres de la République) is a work of political philosophy written by Jean Bodin, a French historian, jurist, and philosopher, and published in 1576. It is considered one of the classics of political philosophy.[1]
The Six Books of the Republic is considered the masterwork of Jean Bodin, who was recognized at the time of its publication as one of the leading European intellectuals. He wrote the Books in French, rather than in Latin—the scholarly language of the time—so that they could be shared and read by as many people as possible.[2]
By the late 1570s, this work was being studied at the University of Cambridge and the University of London. For academic audiences, Bodin himself translated the book into Latin, which was published in 1586.[3] Between 1576 and 1629, the work saw at least fourteen French editions and nine Latin editions. It was also translated into Italian (1588), Spanish (1590), German (1592 and 1611), and English (1606).[4]
Objective
The Six Books opens with a letter to “Monseigneur Du Faur, Lord of Pibrac, Counselor to the King in his Privy Council,” in which the author justifies his endeavor by expressing a desire to “save this Kingdom.” At the time, France was deeply divided by religious conflict between Catholics and Huguenots, which had led to the Wars of Religion and culminated in the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572. [citation needed][original research?]
Rejecting the scholastic method—still widely taught in universities—as well as the utopianism embodied by Thomas More, Bodin reshaped political thought using the historical method, particularly the constitutional history of the major European states. This monumental work, foundational to modern political theory, continues to serve as a reference for jurists and philosophers today.[citation needed]
Bodin develops the key concept of the modern state, whose existence is defined by sovereignty, and whose main attribute is the "power to make and break the law." He also introduces a new classification of political regimes: democracy, monarchy, and aristocracy.[5]
Synopsis
- Book I: The primary goal of a well-ordered Republic. Comparison with the household. On marital authority; paternal authority; lordly authority and whether slavery should be tolerated in a Republic. Definition of the citizen. On treaties between Princes. On sovereignty.
- Book II: Types of Republics: seigniorial monarchy, royal monarchy, tyrannical monarchy; aristocratic state; popular (democratic) state.
- Book III: Senate, magistracies, and administration.
- Book IV: Growth and decline of Republics; the Prince’s relationship with his subjects; how to deal with seditions.
- Book V: Variations in Republics based on differences in topography, climate, and populations. Laws on polygamy. Assignment of official positions. Disposition of the property of the condemned.
- Book VI: Finances and the integrity of currency. Comparison of the three forms of Republics. Distributive justice.
The original French edition of 1576 includes an index of 70 pages.[6]