[117] Hobbes thus describes the establishment of the state. “A _commonwealth_ is said to be _instituted_, when a _multitude_ of men do agree, and _covenant, every one, with every one_, that to whatsoever _man_, or _assembly of men_, shall be given by the major part, the _right_ to _present_ the person of them all, that is to say, to be their _representative_; everyone, as well he that _voted for it_, as he that _voted against it_, shall _authorize_ all the actions and judgments, of that man, or assembly of men, in the same manner, as if they were his own, to the end, to live peaceably amongst themselves, and be protected against other men.” (_Lev._ II. Ch. XVIII.) There is a covenant between them, “as if every man should say to every man, _I authorise and give up my right of governing myself, to this man, or to this assembly of men, on this condition, that thou give up thy right to him, and authorize all his actions in like manner_.” (_Lev._ II. Ch. XVII.) [Tr.] [118] It is usually accepted that a man may not take hostile steps against any one, unless the latter has already injured him by act. This is quite accurate, if both are citizens of a law-governed state. For, in becoming a member of this community, each gives the other the security he demands against injury, by means of the supreme authority exercising control over them both. The individual, however, (or nation) who remains in a mere state of nature deprives me of this security and does me injury, by mere proximity. There is perhaps no active (_facto_) molestation, but there is a state of lawlessness, (_status injustus_) which, by its very existence, offers a continual menace to me. I can therefore compel him, either to enter into relations with me under which we are both subject to law, or to withdraw from my neighbourhood. So that the postulate upon which the following articles are based is:—“All men who have the power to exert a mutual influence upon one another must be under a civil government of some kind.” A legal constitution is, according to the nature of the individuals who compose the state:— (1) A constitution formed in accordance with the right of citizenship of the individuals who constitute a nation (_jus civitatis_). (2) A constitution whose principle is international law which determines the relations of states (_jus gentium_). (3) A constitution formed in accordance with cosmopolitan law, in as far as individuals and states, standing in an external relation of mutual reaction, may be regarded as citizens of one world-state (_jus cosmopoliticum_).