Johannes Althusius: Politica - Hubertlerch.com - HubertLerch.com

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[§ 1] THUS FAR WE HAVE DISCUSSED the general elements of politics. We turn now to types of association or of symbiotic life.
Every association is either simple and private,
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or mixed and public.
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[§ 2] The simple and private association is a society and symbiosis initiated by a special covenant ( pactum) among the
members for the purpose of bringing together and holding in common a particular interest ( quid peculiare). This is done according
to their agreement and way of life, that is, according to what is necessary and useful for organized private symbiotic life. Such
an association can rightly be called primary, and all others derivative from it. For without this primary association others are able
neither to arise nor to endure. .
[§ 3] The efficient causes of this simple and private association and symbiosis are individual men covenanting among
themselves to communicate whatever is necessary and useful for organizing and living in private life. Whence arises the
particular and private union and society among the covenanters, whose bond ( vinculum) is trust granted and accepted in their
communication of mutual aid, counsel, and right ( jus). 3 And such an association, because it is smaller than a public and universal
one, also requires less extended communication, support, and assistance.
[§ 4] The members of the private association are individuals harmoniously united under one head and spirit, as members of the
same body. For, as Petrus Gregorius says, “just as there is one end for the sake of which nature made the thumb, another the
hand or foot, still another the whole man; so there is one end to which nature directs the individual man, another the family, and
another the city and realm. But that end is most to be esteemed for which nature made the whole man. Accordingly, it is not to
be thought that since there is a definite end for each type of assemblage there is none for the whole, nor that since there is order
in the parts of human life there is only confusion in the more inclusive kind of life, nor lastly that since the parts are united
among themselves by reason of their intending one end the whole itself is disunited.”
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[§ 5] The particular interest that is communicated among the symbiotes by a special covenant of this kind, and through which
they are united as by a certain bond, consists in symbiotic right ( jus symbioticum), 5 together with structure and good order for
communicating it with consensus, mutual service, and common advantage. [§ 6] Symbiotic right is what the private symbiote
fulfills on behalf of his fellow symbiote in the private association, which varies according to the nature of the association. …
[§ 12] Because of this symbiotic right, the private association often performs as one person, and is acknowledged to be one
person…
[§ 13] There are two types of simple and private association. The first is natural, and the second is civil.
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[ § 14 ] The private
and natural symbiotic association is one in which married persons, blood relatives, and in-laws, in response to a natural affection
and necessity, agree to a definite communication among themselves. Whence this individual, natural, necessary, economic, and
domestic society is said to be contracted permanently among these symbiotic allies of life, with the same boundaries as life
itself. Therefore it is rightly called the most intense society, friendship, relationship, and union, the seedbed of every other
symbiotic association. Whence these symbiotic allies are called relatives, kinsmen, and friends.
[§ 15] This simple and private natural association is nourished, fostered, and conserved by private functions and occupations
through which these associated symbiotes communicate each to the other every aid and assistance needed in this symbiosis.
They do this according to the judgment of the chief and the laws ( leges) of good order and proper discipline prescribed by him for
inferior symbiotes. These functions are either agricultural, industrial, or commercial. …
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[ § 37 ] Moreover, there are two kinds
of private and natural domestic association. The first is conjugal ( conjugalis), and the second is kinship ( propinqua). 8 [§
38] The conjugal association and symbiosis is one in which the husband and wife, who are bound each to the other, communicate
the advantages and responsibilities of married life. …
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[ § 40 ] The director and governor of the common affairs pertaining to
this association is the husband. The wife and family are obedient, and do what is commanded.
[§ 41 ] The advantages and responsibilities are either proper to one of the spouses, or common to both. [§ 42] Proper
advantages and responsibilities are either those the husband communicates to his wife, or those the wife communicates to her
husband. The husband communicates to his wife his name, family, reputation, station in life, and economic condition. …
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[§ 43 ] He also provides her with guidance, legal protection, and defense against violence and injury. … [§ 44] Finally, he
supplies her with all other necessities, such as management, solicitude, food, and clothing.…
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