Public Law Studies Quarterly

The Effect of Individualism on the Limitation of Government Power

Articles in Press

Document Type : Article

Authors

Hossein Rahmatollahi 1
Seyed Fathollah Hashemi 2

1 Associate Prof., Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law , College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D. Student in Public Law, Faculty of Law, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jplsq.2025.380460.3578
Abstract
From the point of view of individualists, the originality belongs to the individual, and the government exists only in the shadow of the existence of the individual and with the purpose of serving him/her. The government is considered a mechanical and man-made phenomenon, and therefore like a tool, it must be designed and organized in a way that can meet the expectations of its creators. But the power arising from individuals is placed in the hands of statesmen whose desire to abuse power can turn not only the government itself, but also individuals into a tool to serve their desires and whims. Therefore, individualists have tried to find solutions to control the power of the government. With the aim of investigating some of these solutions, in a descriptive and analytical approach to the ideas of individualists and its effects in the field of power, this research has reached the conclusion that, by applying structural, normative and behavioral restrictions, individualism has been able to limit the power of the government in order to guarantee the basic rights and freedoms of people. Separation and balance of powers, representative system, rule of law, impartiality, transparency, responsibility and accountability are among these limiting solutions.

Keywords

government
individual
individualism
power
society
Subjects

  1. English

    1. A) Books
    2. Hamilton, A., Madison, J., & Jay, J. (1788). The Federalist Papers (1787-88). Retrieved from Lonang Institute (http://www.lonang.com/)
    3. Meyer, M. (2020). Liberal Democracy Prosperity Through Freedom. Springer Briefs in Political Science. http://www.springer.com/series/8871. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47408-9.
    4. Mill, J. S. (1859). On Liberty. Published in: Batoche Books, Kitchener 2001. https://eet.pixel-online.org.
    5. Steele, D. A. (1993). A Comparison of Hobbes and Locke on Natural Law and Social Contract. Defense Technical Information Center. https://books.google.com.

     

    1. B) Articles
    2. Apreda, R. (2014). Accountability and Transparency as Learning Processes in Private, Public and Global Governance. Serie Documentos de Trabajo.UCEMA. 546. https://www.econstor.eu.
    3. Bazezew, M. (2009). Constitutionalism. Mizan Law Review. 3 (2). https://www.ajol.info.
    4. Borgohain, S. (2019). The Concept of Individualism in the Liberal Theories of Locke, Kant and Mill. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research. 7 (2), 148-152. https://www.researchpublish.com.
    5. Burns, A. I., & Markman, S. T. (1987). Understanding Separation of Powers. Pace Law Review. 7 (3). http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/plr/vol7/iss3/2.
    6. Carey, G. W. (2009). The Separation of Powers in United States of America: Past and Present. Historia Constitutional. 10, 263-295. http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=259027582010.
    7. Champagne Jr, R. A. (1992). The Separation of Powers, Institutional Responsibility, and the Problem of Representation. Marquette Law Review. 75 (4). http://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/mulr/vol75/iss4/5.
    8. CRS Report for Congress. (1999). The Separation of Powers Doctrine: An Overview of its Rationale and Application. Legislative Attorny, American Law Division. RL30249.
    9. Frost, A. (2003). Restoring Faith in Government: Transparency Reform in the United States and the European Union. Articles in Law Review & other Academic Journals. 1595. https://digitalcommonds.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/1595.
    10. Gardner, J. A. (2005). Democracy without a Net?: Separation of Powers and the Idea of Self-Sustaining Constitutional Constraints on Undemocratic Behavior. ST.JOHN,S Law Review. Vol 79. 293. https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/journal_articles/221.
    11. Haxhiu, S., & Alidemaj, A. H. (2021). Representative Democracy: its Meaning and Basic Principles. AUDJ. 17(2), 76-91. https://www.researchgate.net.
    12. Heerden, M. V., & Steyn, S. (2012). Mechanism to Improve Accountability in the Public Sector. Mediterranean Journal of Social Scienves. 3 (12). https://www.richtmann.org.
    13. Heimstadt, M., & Dobusch, L. (2020). Transparency and Accountability: Causal, Critical and Constructive Perspectives. Organisation Theory. 1, 1-12. https://journals.sagepub.com.
    14. Jashari, M., & Pepaj, I. (2018). The Role of the Principle of Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration. AUDA. 10 (1), 60-69. https://journals.univ-danubis.ro.
    15. Katz, S. L. (2001). Transparency in the U.S.; Towards Worldwide Access to Government. The Journal of Public Inquiry. Fall/Winter.
    16. Laskar, M. E. (2013). Summary of Social Contract Theory by Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau. Ssrn Electronic. https://doi.org/10.2139. http://ssrn.com/abstract=2410525.
    17. Lukes, S. (1971). The Meanings of Individualism. The History of Ideas. 32 (1), 45-66. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2708324.
    18. Meijer, A. (2009). Understanding Modern Transparency. International Review of Administrative Sciences. 75 (2). https://journals.sagepub.com.
    19. Nourse, V. F. (1999). The Vertical Separation of Powers. Duke Law, 49,749. DOI: 10.2307/1373085. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1531231.
    20. Omelinn, L .S. (2000). The Sanctity of Association: The Corporation and Individualism in American Law. San Diego Law Review, 37 (101), 101-166.
    21. Rowberry, R. (2019). The Short History of the Rule of Law in the United States (1954-2016). Studia Iuridica Lxxix. Orcid: 0000-0002-1888-8867.
    22. Smith, D.B. (2009). Because Men are not Angels: Separation of Powers in the United States. Duquesne Law Review. 47(4), 687-705. https://dsc.duq.edu/dlr/vol47/iss4/3.
    23. Soares, C. (2018). The Philosophy of Individualism: A Critical Perspective. International Journal of Philosophy & Social Values, 1 (1). https://doi.org/10.34632/philosophyandsocialvalues.2018.2664. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327884634.
    24. Uwakwe, F. C. (2019). Separation of Powers: Panacea for Good Governance in Nigeria. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journal of International Law and Jurisprudence (NAUILJ). 10 (1). https://www.ajol.info.
    25. Vincent, M., & Zumofen, R. (2015). The Uncertain Relationship Between Transparency and Accountability Revisited Through Four Swiss Cases. Mandarin Orchard Singapore. Provided by Serveur Academique Lausannois. https://core.ac.uk.
    26. Vishwanath, T., & Kaufman, D. (2001). Toward Transparency: New Approaches and Their Application to Financial Markets. The World Bank Research Observer. 16 (1), 41-57. https://www.researchgate.net. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/16.1.41.
    27. Waldron, J. (2013).Separation of Powers in Thought and Practice?. Boston College Law Review., 54: 433.
    28. Walker, N. (2010). Constitutionalism and the Incompleteness of Democracy: An Iterative Relationship. Rechtsfilosofie & Rechtstheorie. 3 (39). https://www.elevenjournals.com.
    29. Yadav, A. K. (2024). Rule of Law. International Journal of Law and Legal Jurisprudence Studies. 4 (3), 205-220. https://www.studocu.com.

     

    1. C) Documents
    2. Constitution of October 4. (1958). www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr.
    3. The Constitution of the United States of America. (1789). www.senate.gov.

     

    References In Persian:

    1. A) Books
    2. Abbasi, B. (2015). Fundamentals of Constitutional Rights. Fourth Edition. Tehran: Jangal (In Persian).
    3. Abbasi, B. (2017). Fundamentals of Public Law. Second Edition. Tehran: Dadgostar (In Persian).
    4. Alem, A. (2015). Foundations of Political Science. Twenty seventh Edition. Tehran: Ney (In Persian).
    5. Arblaster, A. (2009). The Rise and Decline of Western Liberalism. Translated by Abbas Mokhber. Fourth Edition. Tehran: Markaz (In Persian).
    6. Bakhshayesh Ardestani, A. (2009). The Historical Process of Political Ideas in the West: from Plato to Nietzsche. Fourth Edition. Tehran: Avayenoor (In Persian).
    7. Barbier, M. (2004). Political Modernity. Translated by Abdolvahhab Ahmadi. Tehran: Agah (In Persian).
    8. Baseri, B., & Faqih Habibi, A. (2017). Comparative Fundamental Rights. Second Edition. Tehran: Islamic Azad University (In Persian).
    9. Boushehri, J. (1997). Issues in Constitutional Law with Appendix the Translation of the Constitutions of France, Germany, England, U.S.A and Former Sovietunion. Tehran: Dadgostar (In Persian).
    10. Copleston, F. CH. (2019). A History of Philosophy. Vol. 3. Translated by Ebrahim Dadjoo. Third Edition. Tehran: Soroush (In Persian).
    11. Durant, W. (2011). The Story of Philosophy. Translated by Abbas Zaryab Khooei. Twenty third Edition. Tehran: Elmifarhangi (In Persian).
    12. Forsyth, M., & Soper, M. (2001). The Political Classics: Green to Dworkin. Translated by Abdolrahman Alem. First Edition. Tehran: Faculty of Law and Political Science of University of Tehran (In Persian).
    13. Ghari Seyed Fatemi, S. M. (2009). Human Rights in the Contemporary World. Volume II. Tehran: S.D.I.L (In Persian).
    14. Ghazi, A. (1991). Fundamental Rights and Political Institutions. Vol. 1. Second Edition. Tehran: University of Tehran (In Persian).
    15. Ghazi, A. (2006). Requirements of Constitutional Rights. Twenty seventh Edition. Tehran: Mizan Legal Foundation (In Persian).
    16. Ghezelsofla, M. T. (2008). The Paradigmatic Nature of Political Thought. Babolsar: Mazandaran University (In Persian).
    17. Katouzian, N. (2004). Fundamentals of Public Law. Second Edition. Tehran: Mizan Publication (In Persian).
    18. Kekes, J. (2013). Against Liberalism. Translated by Mohammadreza Taheri. Tehran: Elmifarhangi (In Persian).
    19. Klosko, G. (2016). A History of Political Theory. Vol. 3. Translated by Khashayar Deyhimi. Fourth Edition. Tehran: Nashreney (In Persian).
    20. Locke, J. (2008). Second Treatise of Government. Translated by Shahram Arshadnejad. Tehran: Roshangaran and Womens studies (In Persian).
    21. Loughlin, M. (2013). Foundations of Public Law. Translated by Mohammad Rasekh. Third Edition. Tehran: Ney (In Persian).
    22. Loughlin, M. (2015). Foundations of Public Law. Translated by Mohammad Moghtader. Tehran: Majd Publication (In Persian).
    23. Mardiha, M. (2019). Conservative Liberalism. Tehran: Elmifarhangi (In Persian).
    24. Miller, D. (2022). Political Philosophy. Translated by Bahman Daroshafaei. Tehran: Mahi (In Persian).
    25. Naghibi Mofrad, H. (2010). Good Governance in the Light of the Globalization of Human Rights. Tehran: S.D.I.L (In Persian).
    26. Parvin, K. (2014). Principles of Public Law. Tehran: Samt (In Persian).
    27. Poggi, G. (1998). The Development of the Modern State: A Sociological Introduction. . Translated by Behzad Bashi. Tehran: Agah (In Persian).
    28. Pooladi, K. (2007). A History of Political Thought in the West: 20th Century. Second Edition. Tehran: Markaz (In Persian).
    29. Presidential Strategic Research Center. (2007). Explanatory Report of Draft Transparensy Bill.. First Edition. Tehran: Shaffaf (In Persian).
    30. Rahmatollahi, H. (2020). Power Evolution. Second Edition. Tehran: Mizan Legal Foundation (In Persian).
    31. Rahmatollahi, H., & Agha Mohammad Aghaee, E. (2020). Natural Rights and Positive Rights and their Effect on Power Structure and Public Law. Second Edition. Tehran: Majd (In Persian).
    32. Rahmatollahi, H., & Agha Mohammad Aghaee, E. (2023). A Reflection on the Relationship between the Government and the Citizen: the Transition from the Absolute Government to the Constitutional Government. Second Edition. Tehran: Khorsandy (In Persian).
    33. Rahmatollahi, H., & Shirzad, O. (2020). Perfettionism and Neutrality and their Effects on Power Structure and Public Law. Second Edition. Tehran: Majd (In Persian).
    34. Sharifshahi, M. (2020). Based on Constitutionalism. Tehran: Negahemoaser (In Persian).
    35. Tabatabaei Motamani, M. (2011). Constitutional Law. Fourteenth Edition. Tehran: Mizan Legal Foundation (In Persian).
    36. Tabatabaei, J. (2019). Reflection on Iran Constitutionalism. Third Edition. Tehran: Minooyekherad (In Persian).
    37. Vincent, A. (1999). Modern Political Ideologies. Translated by Morteza Saghebfar. Tehran: Qoqnoos (In Persian).
    38. Vincent, A. (2008). Theories of the State. Translated by Hossein Bashiriyeh. Sixth Edition. Tehran: Ney (In Persian).
    39. Zibakalaam, S. (2009). Five Speeches about Government. Tehran: Rowzaneh (In Persian).

     

    1. B) Articles
    2. Emami, M., & Shakeri, H. (2015). Good Governance and the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Comparative Law. 1 (2), 25-57 (In Persian).
    3. Ghasemi Asl Estahbanati, M. J. (2021). A Study of the Fundamentals of Methodological and Cognitive Individualism and Critique of Methodological Methodology in Rational Selection Theory. Islamic Economics Studies. 13 (1), 253-284. https://doi.org/10.30497/IES.2020.75472 (In Persian).
    4. Hamidiyeh, B. (2006). Recognizing Individualism and its Consequences. Yas Strategy Quarterly, 2 (6) (In Persian).
    5. Javaheri Tehrani, M., & Mafi, F. (2023). The Theoretical Establishment Plan of Separation of Powers as an Organizational Feature of Constitutionalism with Emphasis on the Ideas of Filmer and Locke. Public Law Knowledge. 12 (40), 165-184. https://doi.org/10.22034/qjplk.2022.1584.1470 (In Persian).
    6. Javidi, M. (2020). Jean Jacques Rousseau`s Social Contract Theory with a Methodological Approach. ReligiousThought of Shiraz University. 19 (4), 39-64 (In Persian).
    7. Kant, I. (1991). What is Enlightenment? In Response to a Question. Translated by Homayoun Fouladpour. Kelk. 22 (In Persian).
    8. Khosravi, H. (2018). Representation Theory in the Light of Political Philosophy and Public Law. Legal Research Quarterly. 21 (83), 159-186. https://doi.org/10.22034/JLR.2018.113083 (In Persian).
    9. Pech, L. (2006). The Rule of Law in France. Translated by Ahmad Markaz Malmiri. Assembly and Research. 13 (51) (In Persian).
    10. Sheydaei, N., & Javid, M. J. (2024). An Introduction to the Concept of Law and State in Epicureanism. Public Law Studies Quarterly. 54 (2), 843-860. https://doi.org/10.22059/jplsq.2022.339319.3092 (In Persian).
    11. Shirzad, O. (2019). Communitarianism and Public Law; Comparison and Analysis. Legal Research Quarterly. 23 (89), 371-397 (In Persian).
    12. Tabatabaei, S. M. (2017). The Theory of Separation of Powers and the Organization of Political Power in the Government. The State Studies Quarterly. 3 (12), 1-35 (In Persian).
Public Law Studies Quarterly

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 February 2027

  • Receive Date 06 August 2024
  • Revise Date 05 February 2025
  • Accept Date 05 May 2025

Home

Journal Process Ethics

Peer Review Process

Submission

Indexing and Abstracting

Contact Us