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Single Idea 19886

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism ]

Full Idea

He that thinks absolute power purifies men's blood, and corrects the baseness of human nature, need but read the history of this, or any other age, to be convinced to the contrary.

Gist of Idea

The idea that absolute power improves mankind is confuted by history

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 092)

Book Ref

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.162

A Reaction

I can't imagine who proposed the view that Locke is attacking, but it will have been some real 17th century thinker. Attitudes to monarchy changed drastically in England, but Louis XIV was still ruling in France.

The 22 ideas with the same theme [corrupt single leader who abuses a state]:

245 Totalitarian states destroy friendships and community spirit [Plato]
6306 People are vengeful, so be generous to them, or destroy them [Machiavelli]
6305 To retain a conquered state, wipe out the ruling family, and preserve everything else [Machiavelli]
6308 A sensible conqueror does all his harmful deeds immediately, because people soon forget [Machiavelli]
19886 The idea that absolute power improves mankind is confuted by history [Locke]
19903 Despotism is arbitrary power to kill, based neither on natural equality, nor any social contract [Locke]
19905 People stripped of their property are legitimately subject to despotism [Locke]
19904 Legitimate prisoners of war are subject to despotism, because that continues the state of war [Locke]
19975 Despots are always lazy and ignorant, so they always delegate their power to a vizier [Montesquieu]
19977 Despotism and honour are incompatible, because honour scorns his power, and lives by rules [Montesquieu]
19988 A despot's agents must be given power, so they inevitably become corrupt [Montesquieu]
19989 The will of a despot is an enigma, so magistrates can only follow their own will [Montesquieu]
20007 Tyranny is either real violence, or the imposition of unpopular legislation [Montesquieu]
7227 It is evil to give a government any more power than is necessary [Mill]
22683 Despots like to see their own regulations ignored, by themselves and their agents [Tocqueville]
20229 No authority ever willingly accepts criticism [Nietzsche]
20941 Totalitarian parties cut their members off from other cultural organisations [Gramsci]
20579 Modern totalitarianism results from lack of social ties or shared goals [Arendt, by Oksala]
20580 The ideal subject for dictators is not a fanatic, but someone who can't distinguish true from false [Arendt, by Oksala]
7981 Whole populations are terrorist threats to authorities, who unite against them [Baudrillard]
20497 How can dictators advance the interests of the people, if they don't consult them about interests? [Wolff,J]
21001 Famines tend to be caused by authoritarian rule [Sen]