2.5.07: Warming Up to Friesland

These are cold days. An arctic blast has blanketed much of the Midwest. We are prisoners in our own homes. Cabin fever has set in. We are tormented by the tyranny of Mother Nature. Yet there is hope to be found in our freezing. There is something to learn when in Friesland.

Johannes Althusius, German political theorist, lived in Friesland. Living in the seaport of Emden, Althusius practiced as municipal magistrate for thirty-four years the basic principles of federalism. Althusius is often called “the father of modern federalism.”

His ideas are found in a book entitled “Politica Methodice Digesta” which he published in 1603. In this book we find early discussions of popular sovereignty and the value of limited government. Althusius wrote:

“All power is limited by definite boundaries and laws. No power is absolute, infinite, unbridled, arbitrary, and lawless. Every power is bound to laws, right, and equity.”

And further:

“Politics is the art of associating men for the purpose of establishing, cultivating, and conserving social life among them. Whence it is called ‘symbiotics’.”

This civic symbiosis, he wrote, is best guarded when the city experiences a certain level of autonomy. Here modern federalism is at play. Although Lord and Emperor ruled over them, Friesland’s health as a civic community depended upon a dose of local authority. This separation of sovereignty, what we call federalism, brought reciprocating benefits to all.

James Bryce, three hundred years later, underscored these benefits of federalism:

"Federalism promotes national unity while permitting local “diversities” to continue.

Federalism prevents the rise of despotic central government and does not threaten “the private liberties of the citizen.” The states are “bulwarks” against the central encroachment of the federal government.

Federalism “stimulates” the interest of citizens in local affairs, thereby sensitizing the people to their civic duties.

Federalism encourages “experimentation” and reforms in political life that might not be tried initially at the federal level. In short, new political policies can filter up from the local-state level to the federal level."

As we shiver this week, be thankful that our form of government, centered upon popular sovereignty, continues despite both historic and natural forces which wage against it. Althusius’ concept of federalism became an important piece to this puzzle. Although scarcely known, our political discourse might be helped by warming up to Friesland.

Read a translation of Althusius’s “Politica”.