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Full Idea
It is a painful fact that the ordinary voter, at any rate in England, is quite blind to insincerity.
Gist of Idea
Unfortunately ordinary voters can't detect insincerity
Source
Bertrand Russell (Political Ideals [1917], 3)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Political Ideals' [Spokesman 2007], p.51
A Reaction
Gor blimey yes! Well said, Bertie. Even in the age of television, when you can examine them in closeup, people seem to confuse superficial charm with genuine positive convictions. Why are people better at detecting it in private life?
| 21517 | Individuals need creativity, reverence for others, and self-respect [Russell] |
| 21522 | Democracy is inadequate without a great deal of devolution [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] |
| 21518 | Men unite in pursuit of material things, and idealise greed as part of group loyalty [Russell] |
| 21519 | We need security and liberty, and then encouragement of creativity [Russell] |
| 21520 | That our heaven is a dull place reflects the misery of excessive work in life [Russell] |
| 21524 | The right to own land gives a legal right to a permanent income [Russell] |
| 21525 | When the state is the only employer, there is no refuge from the prejudices of other people [Russell] |
| 21528 | Groups should be autonomous, with a neutral authority as arbitrator [Russell] |
| 21526 | Unfortunately ordinary voters can't detect insincerity [Russell] |
| 21527 | On every new question the majority is always wrong at first [Russell] |