Molto più che individui : diritti comuni e prassi istituente in una lettura di Spinoza

The paper is inspired by the recent publication of the book Singolarità e istituzioni by Francesco Raparelli. In this paper, I examine Spinoza’s ontology of the relationship, or transindividualism, and its anti-individualistic implications. Then, the theory of common right set out in the Political Treatise to develop a Spinozist theory of political institution. Human associations, emotional relationships, collective desires and conflicts determine form and content of the political institutions, possibility of participation and social legitimacy. In turn, the institutions have the power to direct those relations towards the affirmation and defense of common rights. Finally, I propose to conceive the institution as a collective and organized force open to the future, the contingency and the events.