Single Idea 22595

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / b. Liberal individualism]

Full Idea

Lliberty is the triumph of the individual, as much over a government which seeks to rule by despotic methods, as over the masses who seek to render the minority the slave of the majority.

Gist of Idea

Liberty is the triumph of the individual, over both despotic government and enslaving majorities

Source

Benjamin Constant (Principles of Politics [1806]), quoted by Ian Dunt - How to be a Liberal 4

Book Reference

Dunt,Ian: 'How to Be a Liberal' [Canbury Press 2020], p.107


A Reaction

[No page given] Dunt describes Constant's book as the first really systematic account of liberalism. Very important to have rights against the majority, as well as against government.