more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
The greatest degree of liberty is not secured by anarchy. ...[22] The results of anarchy between states should suffice to persuade us that anarchism has no solution to offer for the evils of the world.
Gist of Idea
Anarchy does not maximise liberty
Source
Bertrand Russell (Political Ideals [1917], 1)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Political Ideals' [Spokesman 2007], p.21
A Reaction
I've heard Russell described as an anarchist, but this clearly wasn't true in 1917. Presumably liberty has to be protected. That we were watching anarchy between states in 1917 is a vivid observation.
| 21495 | Theoretical and practical politics are both concerned with the best lives for individuals [Russell] |
| 21520 | That our heaven is a dull place reflects the misery of excessive work in life [Russell] |
| 21517 | Individuals need creativity, reverence for others, and self-respect [Russell] |
| 21522 | Democracy is inadequate without a great deal of devolution [Russell] |
| 21523 | We would not want UK affairs to be settled by a world parliament [Russell] |
| 21521 | Anarchy does not maximise liberty [Russell] |
| 21518 | Men unite in pursuit of material things, and idealise greed as part of group loyalty [Russell] |
| 21519 | We need security and liberty, and then encouragement of creativity [Russell] |
| 21524 | The right to own land gives a legal right to a permanent income [Russell] |
| 21525 | When the state is the only employer, there is no refuge from the prejudices of other people [Russell] |
| 21526 | Unfortunately ordinary voters can't detect insincerity [Russell] |
| 21528 | Groups should be autonomous, with a neutral authority as arbitrator [Russell] |
| 21527 | On every new question the majority is always wrong at first [Russell] |