Single Idea 23843

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship]

Full Idea

Participation in collective possessions is important. Where real civic life exists, each feels he has a personal ownership in the public monuments, gardens, ceremonial pomp and circumstances; sumptuousness is thus placed within the reach of the poorest.

Gist of Idea

Even the poorest should feel collective ownership, and participation in grand display

Source

Simone Weil (The Need for Roots [1943], I 'Collective')

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'The Need for Roots' [Routledge 2002], p.35


A Reaction

OK with gardens. Dubious about fobbing the poor off with pomp. Monuments are a modern controversy, when they turn out to commemorate slavery and colonial conquest. I agree with her basic thought.