In the works of Cicero (106 – 43 BCE), one of the most important philosophers and politicians of ancient Rome, the state (res publica) was primarily a community of citizens. His approach to politics and the state was firmly rooted in the concept of the common good, which he called res populi – the cause of the people.
Cicero believed that the state does not exist only to meet the needs of rulers or elites, but primarily to serve the entire society. In this sense, a state is a community connected by a common legal order, customs and the pursuit of the common good. He defined them as an organization of citizens united by agreement on the law and common interest. This classic view of the state is reflected in modern democracies, where the rule of law and the common good remain the foundation of social life.
Cicero argued that the most important goal of those in power should be to observe the principles of justice and balance, which guarantees political stability and a sense of community among citizens. According to Cicero, a good state should be based on a balance between different social classes, where each group has its place and voice, and laws protect both the strong and the weak.
Cicero criticized tyranny and individual rule, seeing them as threatening the common good. For him, power had to be based on consensus and laws that were not a dictate, but the result of the cooperation of all citizens. In the work “De re publica” he also emphasized that citizens have duties towards the state – they must take care of its well-being but also benefit from its protection and justice.
