^ The . Generative Principle of Political Constitutions The . Generative Principle of Political Constitutions Studies on Sovereignty, Religion, and Enlightenment Joseph de Maistre Jack Lively, editor and translator With an introduction by the editor 13 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group LONDON AND NEW YORK Originally published in 1965 by The Macmillan Company Published 1965 by Transaction Publishers Published 2017 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Copyright © 1965 by Jack Lively. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2011030697 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Maistre, Joseph Marie, comte de, 1753-1821. [Selections. English. 1965] The generative principle of political constitutions : studies on sover­ eignty, religion, and enlightenment / Joseph de Maistre ; Jack Lively, editor. p. cm. Originally published: The works of Joseph de Maistre : selected, translated and introduced by Jack Lively. New York : Macmillan, 1965. ISBN 978-1-4128-4265-5 1. Political science. 2. Constitutional history. I. Lively, Jack. II. Title. III. Title: Works of Joseph de Maistre. JA42.M313 2011 320.01--dc23 2011030697 ISBN-13: 978-1-4128-4265-5 (pbk) CONTENTS Preface, xi Introduction, 1 Life i Maistre and His Interpreters 2 Maistre and the Enlightenment 8 Human Nature 9 The Human Condition 12 The Divine Voice in History 14 The Problem of Evil 21 The Political System 24 Revolutionary and Reactionary Thought 30 Considerations on France, 47 On Revolutions 47 Thoughts on the Ways of Providence in the French Revolution So Of the Violent Destruction of Humanity 61 Can the French Republic Last? 65 On the French Revolution Considered in Its Antireligious Character—Digression on Christianity 71 Of the Divine Influence in Political Constitutions 77 Signs of Nullity in the French Government 80 On the Old French Constitution—Digression on the King and the Declaration to the French of July, 1795 85 How Will the Counter-Revolution Come About If It Happens? 86 Of the Pretended Dangers of a Counter-Revolution 88 Study on Sovereignty, 93 On the Origins of Sovereignty 93 The Sovereignty of the People 93 Origins of Society 94 Sovereignty in General 98 Particular Sovereignties and Nations 99 An Examination of Some Ideas of Rousseau on the Legislator 101 The Founders and the Political Constitution of Nations 102 The Weakness of Human Power 105 Continuation of the Same Subject 107 The National Soul 108 Application of the Preceding Principles to a Particular Case —Continuation 109 A Necessary Explanation 111 On the Nature of Sovereignty 112 The Nature of Sovereignty in General 112 Monarchy 113 On Aristocracy 119 Democracy 119 The Best Species of Government 126 Continuation of the Same Subject 126 Reflections on This Subject 128 The Pope, 131 Of the Pope in His Relations with the Catholic Church Infallibility 131 Councils 133 Analogies Derived from Temporal Power 133 Of the Pope in His Relations with Temporal Sovereignties 134 A Few Words on Sovereignty 134 Inconveniences of Sovereignty 135 Ideas of Antiquity on the Great Problem 138 Further Considerations on the Same Subject 140 Distinguishing Characteristics of the Power Exercised by the Popes 141 Justification of Papal Power 141 Of the Pope in His Relations with the Civilization and Happiness of Peoples 143 Civil Liberty of Mankind 143 Essay on the Generative Principle of Political Constitutions, 147 The Saint Petersburg Dialogues, 183 First Dialogue 183 Second Dialogue 195 Third Dialogue 211 Fourth Dialogue 212 Fifth Dialogue 222 Sixth Dialogue 237 Seventh Dialogue 245 Eighth Dialogue 259 Ninth Dialogue 269 Tenth Dialogue 274 Eleventh Dialogue 287 Enlightenment on Sacrifices, 291 Sacrifices in General 291 Human Sacrifices 295 The Christian Theory of Sacrifices 297 Index, 299