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Single Idea 23162

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 8. Socialism ]

Full Idea

Nationalisation leaves managers and officials almost as remote from the workers as they are under a capitalist regime.

Gist of Idea

Managers are just as remote from workers under nationalisation as under capitalism

Source

Bertrand Russell (Authority and the Individual [1949], 4)

Book Ref

Russell,Bertrand: 'Authority and the Individual' [Unwin 1977], p.63

A Reaction

Russell's solution is workplace democracy. Presumably that could be imposed on a nationalised industry much more easily than on a profit-driven private capitalist industry.

The 18 ideas from 'Authority and the Individual'

23154 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]
23152 Increasingly war expands communities, and unifies them through fear [Russell]
23151 A monarch is known to everyone in the group, and can thus unite large groups [Russell]
23155 In early societies the leaders needed cohesion, but the rest just had to obey [Russell]
23156 The economic and political advantages of great size seem to have no upper limit [Russell]
23157 Government has a negative purpose, to prevent trouble, and a positive aim of realising our desires [Russell]
23160 Being a slave of society is hardly better than being a slave of a despot [Russell]
23162 Managers are just as remote from workers under nationalisation as under capitalism [Russell]
23158 Slavery began the divorce between the work and the purposes of the worker [Russell]
23161 Slaves can be just as equal as free people [Russell]
23159 Scarce goods may be denied entirely, to avoid their unequal distribution [Russell]
23164 Modern justice is seen as equality, apart from modest extra rewards for exceptional desert [Russell]
23165 Socialists say economic justice needs some state control of industries, and of foreign trade [Russell]
23168 A state is essential, to control greedy or predatory impulses [Russell]
23167 Power should be with smaller bodies, as long as it doesn't restrict central powers [Russell]
23163 In an anarchy universities, research, books, and even seaside holidays, would be impossible [Russell]
23166 In democracy we are more aware of being governed than of our tiny share in government [Russell]