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Single Idea 7254

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy ]

Full Idea

In Utopia, anyone who deliberately tries to get himself elected to a public office is permanently disqualified from holding one.

Gist of Idea

If you try to get elected, you should be permanently barred from seeking office

Source

Thomas More (Utopia [1516], Bk 2)

Book Ref

More,Thomas: 'Utopia', ed/tr. Turner,Paul [Penguin 1965], p.106


A Reaction

This echoes a thought found in Plato (Idea 2149). I've always liked this idea. Why can't we have elections were a group of the best people are invited to stand? Well, yes, it would lead to corruption... Still, the best should be pushed to the front.

Related Idea

Idea 2149 Reluctant rulers make a better and more unified administration [Plato]


The 5 ideas from 'Utopia'

In Utopia, legal euthanasia is considered honourable [More,T]
In Utopia, the Supreme Being is identical with Nature [More,T]
All modern social systems seem to be conspiracies of the rich [More,T]
If you try to get elected, you should be permanently barred from seeking office [More,T]
Only Utopians fail to see glory in warfare [More,T]