Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: The sovereign authority in any country is the power of making laws, and everything else is an official department.

On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
The sovereign authority in any country is the power of making laws, and everything else is an official department.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

In his analysis of government structures, Paine defines the core of sovereign power as the ability to create laws.

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