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Single Idea 23156
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 2. Population / b. State population
]
Full Idea
Short of the whole planet there is no visible limit to the advantages of size, both in economic and in political organisation.
Gist of Idea
The economic and political advantages of great size seem to have no upper limit
Source
Bertrand Russell (Authority and the Individual [1949], 2)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Authority and the Individual' [Unwin 1977], p.26
A Reaction
Obviously there are also disadvantages, such as the vast distances, and the alienation of people far from the centre. I take economies of scale to be one of the advantages of socialist nationalisations.
The
18 ideas
from 'Authority and the Individual'
23154
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We divide mankind into friend and foe, and cooperate with one and compete with the other
[Russell]
|
23153
|
Gradually loyalty to a creed increased, which could even outweigh nationality
[Russell]
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23152
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Increasingly war expands communities, and unifies them through fear
[Russell]
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23151
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A monarch is known to everyone in the group, and can thus unite large groups
[Russell]
|
23155
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In early societies the leaders needed cohesion, but the rest just had to obey
[Russell]
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23157
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Government has a negative purpose, to prevent trouble, and a positive aim of realising our desires
[Russell]
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23156
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The economic and political advantages of great size seem to have no upper limit
[Russell]
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23160
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Being a slave of society is hardly better than being a slave of a despot
[Russell]
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23162
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Managers are just as remote from workers under nationalisation as under capitalism
[Russell]
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23158
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Slavery began the divorce between the work and the purposes of the worker
[Russell]
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23161
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Slaves can be just as equal as free people
[Russell]
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23159
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Scarce goods may be denied entirely, to avoid their unequal distribution
[Russell]
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23164
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Modern justice is seen as equality, apart from modest extra rewards for exceptional desert
[Russell]
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23165
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Socialists say economic justice needs some state control of industries, and of foreign trade
[Russell]
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23168
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A state is essential, to control greedy or predatory impulses
[Russell]
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23167
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Power should be with smaller bodies, as long as it doesn't restrict central powers
[Russell]
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23163
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In an anarchy universities, research, books, and even seaside holidays, would be impossible
[Russell]
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23166
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In democracy we are more aware of being governed than of our tiny share in government
[Russell]
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