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The Commonwealth of Oceana and System of Politics: A Comprehensive Examination

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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Published in Harrington: The Commonwealth Of Oceana And A System Of Politics (Cambridge Texts In The History Of Political Thought)

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The Commonwealth of Oceana, written by James Harrington in 1656, is a seminal work of political theory that outlines a utopian society based on the principles of republicanism and constitutionalism. Harrington's vision for Oceana has had a profound influence on subsequent political thought, particularly in the development of liberal democracy and the separation of powers.

Harrington: 'The Commonwealth of Oceana' and 'A System of Politics' (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

by James Harrington

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	33060 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	332 pages

Political System of Oceana

At the heart of Oceana's political system lies the concept of the "balance of power." Harrington believed that a stable and just society could only be achieved by ensuring that no single individual or group held too much power. To this end, he proposed a complex system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming dominant.

Oceana's government was divided into three branches: the Senate, the Executive, and the Tribunate. The Senate was responsible for making laws, while the Executive was responsible for enforcing them. The Tribunate, in turn, was charged with monitoring the actions of the Senate and Executive and ensuring that they complied with the laws.

In addition to this system of checks and balances, Harrington also proposed a number of other measures designed to prevent the concentration of power. For example, he advocated for universal suffrage, rotation in office, and the abolition of standing armies.

Agrarian Principles

Another important aspect of Oceana's political system was its agrarian principles. Harrington believed that a society's political stability was directly related to the distribution of land ownership. He argued that a society in which land was concentrated in the hands of a few individuals would inevitably be dominated by those individuals.

In order to prevent this from happening, Harrington proposed a system of land distribution that would ensure that every citizen owned a small amount of land. This would, in turn, give every citizen a vested interest in the stability and prosperity of society.

Legacy of Oceana

The Commonwealth of Oceana has had a profound influence on subsequent political thought. Harrington's ideas on the balance of power, republicanism, and constitutionalism have been adopted by countless political thinkers and statesmen.

In the United States, the Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by Oceana. Many of the ideas enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, such as the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances, can be traced back to Harrington's work.

Oceana has also been influential in the development of other democratic societies around the world. For example, the British philosopher John Locke drew on Harrington's ideas when he developed his own theory of natural rights and limited government.

The Commonwealth of Oceana is a classic work of political theory that continues to be relevant and influential today. Harrington's ideas on the balance of power, republicanism, and constitutionalism have helped to shape the development of democratic societies around the world.

Harrington: 'The Commonwealth of Oceana' and 'A System of Politics' (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

by James Harrington

4.6 out of 5