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Full Idea
Even democracy, when it becomes fanatical, as it did …in the French Revolution, ceases to be Liberal. Indeed, a fanatical belief in democracy makes democratic institutions impossible.
Gist of Idea
Democratic institutions become impossible in a fanatical democracy
Source
Bertrand Russell (Philosophy and Politics [1950], p.26)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Unpopular Essays' [Unwin 1990], p.26
A Reaction
Presumably this is because the supposed 'will of the people' is continually placed in opposition to the institutions. For example, there is a problem if a referendum is held, which produces a result in conflict with the institutions.
| 23169 | Democratic institutions become impossible in a fanatical democracy [Russell] |
| 23170 | Liberal opinions are tentative rather than dogmatic, and are always responsive to new evidence [Russell] |
| 23172 | Empiricist Liberalism is the only view for someone who favours scientific evidence and happiness [Russell] |
| 23171 | Empiricism is ethically superior, because dogmatism favours persecution and hatred [Russell] |