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Full Idea
Men combine in groups to attain more strength in the scramble for material goods, and loyalty to the group spreads a halo of quasi-idealism round the central impulse of greed.
Gist of Idea
Men unite in pursuit of material things, and idealise greed as part of group loyalty
Source
Bertrand Russell (Political Ideals [1917], 1)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Political Ideals' [Spokesman 2007], p.16
A Reaction
See the 'greed is good' speech in the film 'Wall Street'. This sounds like a description of the USA, but Russell was very much in England at this stage.
| 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] |