CATECHISM OF THE NEGATIVE PRINCIPLE ------- QUESTION 46: What is - TopicsExpress

CATECHISM OF THE NEGATIVE PRINCIPLE ------- QUESTION 46: What is the conservative principle of absolute governments? ANSWER 46: Force. It has already been shown, that the same constitution of man which leads those who govern to oppress the governed - if not prevented - will, with equal force and certainty, lead the latter to resist oppression, when possessed of the means of doing so peaceably and successfully. But absolute governments, of all forms, exclude all other means of resistance to their authority than that of force; and, of course, leave no other alternative to the governed, but to acquiesce in oppression, however great it may be, or to resort to force to put down the government. But the dread of such a resort must necessarily lead the government to prepare to meet force in order to protect itself; and hence, of necessity, force becomes the conservative principle of all such governments. youtube/watch?v=HnFIpHWCvS0&list=RD02h8lWNUjHEYI