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Full Idea
Political ideals must be based upon ideals for the individual life. The aim of politics should be to make the lives of individuals as good as possible.
Gist of Idea
Theoretical and practical politics are both concerned with the best lives for individuals
Source
Bertrand Russell (Political Ideals [1917], 1)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Political Ideals' [Spokesman 2007], p.9
A Reaction
Russell floats between socialism and anarchism, but this foundational remark is classic liberalism.
| 21519 | We need security and liberty, and then encouragement of creativity [Russell] |
| 21517 | Individuals need creativity, reverence for others, and self-respect [Russell] |
| 21523 | We would not want UK affairs to be settled by a world parliament [Russell] |
| 21521 | Anarchy does not maximise liberty [Russell] |
| 21495 | Theoretical and practical politics are both concerned with the best lives for individuals [Russell] |
| 21522 | Democracy is inadequate without a great deal of devolution [Russell] |
| 21518 | Men unite in pursuit of material things, and idealise greed as part of group loyalty [Russell] |
| 21520 | That our heaven is a dull place reflects the misery of excessive work in life [Russell] |
| 21525 | When the state is the only employer, there is no refuge from the prejudices of other people [Russell] |
| 21524 | The right to own land gives a legal right to a permanent income [Russell] |
| 21526 | Unfortunately ordinary voters can't detect insincerity [Russell] |
| 21528 | Groups should be autonomous, with a neutral authority as arbitrator [Russell] |
| 21527 | On every new question the majority is always wrong at first [Russell] |