Final answer:
The phrase in question describes a social contract where people relinquish their freedoms to a sovereign, leading to an imbalance between authority and obedience. Critics suggest this system is prone to corruption and distrust, underpinned by philosophical principles like the law of noncontradiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "Contradictory convention that sets up, on the one side, absolute authority, and, on the other, unlimited obedience" refers to a political or social arrangement where people collectively agree to surrender their personal liberties and powers to a sovereign ruler. This creates a dynamic of absolute control, often seen in an authoritarian monarchy, where all powers and laws are concentrated in the hands of the sovereign. Notably, Lord Acton's statement, "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely," highlights the potential dangers of such a concentration of power. Additionally, governmental imposition of law and order is often justified as a means to prevent a state of war, thus maintaining peace and protection for the populace at the expense of their personal freedoms.
The law of noncontradiction stipulates that contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time, a philosophical principle that symbolically parallels the incompatibility in a political system between absolute authority and expectations of unrestricted obedience. Critics argue that such a system is inherently imbalanced, promoting distrust amongst the people and lending itself to tyranny.
Ultimately, this conceptual tension between power and obedience requires a trustful attitude towards the people by a popular government that is severe towards itself, recognizing and navigating the inherent contradictions in any system of governance.