Where does the power of magistrates come from?

OCR: 10 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from the Law, and that it is not for the good of the people if magistrates have power above the Law. He argued that a magistrate who does not have his power by Law is not a magistrate. [1]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from laws, which are necessary to direct and restrain them. He argued that without laws, magistrates would not have just power, and that laws must be established by the people to support and regulate government. [2]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from the laws of the country, not from any inherent right or divine authority. He argued that magistrates were established for the good of nations, not the other way around. [3]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from their role in promoting justice and virtue among the people, and that their authority is derived from their duty to serve the people's interests. He argues that magistrates are instituted to seek the good of the people, and that their strength and safety depend on justice, union, and truth. "The good Magiftrate feeks the good of the People committed to his care, that he may perform the end of his Inftitution : and knowing that chiefly to confift in Juftice and Vertue, he endeavours to plant and propagate them ; and by doing this he procures his own good, as well as that of the Publick." [4]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that magistrates' power is not derived from any known original source, as none knows originally from whom it is derived. This is based on his view of the nature of government and magistrates. "None knows originally from whom be is derived." [5]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from the people who confer it upon them, not from any inherent or natural right. He argues that the people had power before there were kings and that kings derive their authority from the people's consent. (key quote above) [6]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from the people, who can choose their rulers, as demonstrated by historical examples of elected kings and magistrates. He argues that people can meet to choose a prince as well as any other magistrate, and that such power is granted by the people, either in person or through deputies. (key quote above) [7]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from the law and that a magistrate who does not have his power by law is not a true magistrate. He also believed that the foundation of magistratical power is for the good of the people and the preservation of their liberties. (key quote above) [8]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the power of magistrates comes from the law and is limited to what the law allows, for the good of the people. He argued that magistrates are not above the law and may be restrained if they exceed their authority. [9]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that in well-constituted governments, remedies against ill magistrates are easy and safe, implying that the power of magistrates should be constrained by law and subject to correction by the people or institutions. "Good Laws prefcribc eafy and fafe Remedy s again ft the Evils proceeding front the vices or infrrmitys of the Magiftrate ; and when they fail (hey muft he fupply'd." [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [2].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Algernon Sidney argued that the power of magistrates is derived from the people, who confer it upon them through laws or direct consent.

2. He stated that the people had power before there were kings, and that kings derive their authority from the people's consent.

3. He believed that magistrates are not above the law and that their power is limited to what the law allows.

4. He argued that the foundation of magistratical power is for the good of the people and the preservation of their liberties.

5. He emphasized that in well-constituted governments, remedies against ill magistrates are easy and safe, implying that the people or institutions can correct abuses of power.

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Algernon Sidney directly addressed the question of where the power of magistrates comes from. He argued that it comes from the people, who either elect or confer it upon them, and that it is limited by laws established for the good of the people.

Extrapolation: Algernon Sidney believed that magistrates derive their power from the people, either through laws or direct consent, and that this power is not inherent or divine. He emphasized that magistrates must act within the bounds of the law and for the good of the people.

Competing readings: One reading is that magistrates derive their power from laws established by the people. Another is that the people themselves confer power directly through elections or consent. The record supports both readings, as Sidney cited both legal frameworks and popular consent as sources of magistrates' power.

Confidence: High, as the record directly addresses the question and provides multiple supporting passages.