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Single Idea 22594

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will ]

Full Idea

In the French Revolution the general will replaced democracy, the separation of powers, the rule of law, and individual rights.

Gist of Idea

In 1794 France all individual and legal rights were suppressed by the general will

Source

Ian Dunt (How to be a Liberal [2020], 03)

Book Ref

Dunt,Ian: 'How to Be a Liberal' [Canbury Press 2020], p.100

A Reaction

I had some sympathy with the idea of the general will, but Dunt has persuaded me otherwise. It is the embodiment of the democratic problem of the tyranny of the majority.

The 5 ideas from 'How to be a Liberal'

22596 No government, or the whole nation, can control an individual beyond legitimate scope [Dunt]
22592 Nationalism pretends that we can only have a single identity [Dunt]
22594 In 1794 France all individual and legal rights were suppressed by the general will [Dunt]
22602 Over several centuries a set of eight main liberal values was established [Dunt]
22603 Laissez-faire liberalism failed to give people the protections and freedoms needed for a good life [Dunt]