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

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the liberty and opportunity of dissenting are provided. … [§ 64] After the votes of the individual senators have been given, the
consul or leader of the senate counts the affirmative votes, as well as the negative votes if there are any, and decides by them.
If the gravity of the matter so demands, however, and the majority is thought to have decided incorrectly, he may order the
majority to examine and ponder the votes of the dissenting minority, and to discuss the matter anew. After further discussion
and examination, he again collects the judgments of individuals, and decides on the basis of the considered votes of the majority.
The dissenting minority is required to submit itself to this decision, so that the decision of the majority is declared and held as
the judgment of the whole senate or consistory, and binds the entire community. For a consensus, when produced at the same
time and place, is sufficient in those matters that pertain to persons as a group, or that are done by the many as by everyone
and the group. On the other hand, a consensus of the majority is not sufficient in those matters that are done by the many as
individuals. In these matters the will of the individuals is required, and it may even be separately declared at different times and
places.What touches individuals ought to be approved by individuals. …
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VI
[§ 1] A CITY MAY BE either free, municipal, mixed, or metropolitan. [§ 2] A free city is so called because it recognizes as its
immediate superior the supreme magistrate,
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and is free from the rule of other princes, dukes, and counts. It is called an
imperial city in the German polity, where it has been assessed contributions or special services for the realm because of the right
of participation and suffrage it enjoys in the councils of the empire and its listing as a member of the empire. And no one doubts
that these cities have the rights of princes within their boundaries.
[§ 3] The municipal or provincial city is one that is subject to a territorial lord. It recognizes a superior other than the supreme
magistrate.
[§ 4] A mixed city is so called because it recognizes partly the emperor and partly a duke or count as its superior, and enjoys
both imperial and provincial privileges. [§ 5] There are some cities in which dukes or counts have usurped rights, even though
the territory does not actually belong to them. These cities recognize them in certain respects through fixed pacts and conditions,
and evidence their liberties in others. Such are Goslar, Magdeburg, Cologne, Aachen, Erfurt, and several others.
[§ 6] A metropolis is so called because it is the mother of other cities that it brings forth as colonies, or because it is preeminent
among them and is recognized by them as a mother by whom they are ruled and defended as children. The metropolis is
therefore a large and populous city. Other cities and towns of the realm follow its example because of its size, population, rank,
houses of religion and justice, and temples of piety and law ( jus), by means of which it displays the light of religion and justice
to the other cities of the realm and presents itself in an elevated place to be seen by all. It also cultivates men distinguished in
piety, doctrine, and life that others are able to consult in cases of doubt and perplexity. …
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[§ 15] Communication among citizens of the same community for the purpose of self-sufficiency and symbiosis pertains to
things, services, right, and mutual concord. Whence arises this political order, or the symbiotic right ( jus symbioticum) of the
city, which is called the legal order of the city ( jus civitatis ). [§ 16] And as man is said to be a microcosm, so also is a city or
small commonwealth, for the common business of a city is conducted and managed in almost the same manner as that of a
realm or province.
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We will speak first about this communication, and then about the administration of it. [§ 17] The communication of things
among the members and citizens of the same community, town, or village is so carried out that the things communicated by the
common consent and covenant of each and all are set aside for the various uses of the community. This is done according to the
manner, order, and procedure that was agreed upon and established among the members and citizens. And such communication
of things is rightly called the sinews of the city. …
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[§ 28] The communication of services among the citizens of the same community is the performing of functions necessary and
useful to symbiosis and mutual intercourse. These are performed by one citizen for another who needs and desires them in order
that love may become effectual through the observance of charity. … [§ 29] The communication of such services is especially
accomplished in the execution and administration of (1) public duties and (2) private occupations necessary and useful to social
life and symbiosis, the direction of which belongs to the senatorial collegium.
The administrators of public duties are those who expedite the public functions of the commonwealth or city, both political and
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