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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / b. Devolution

[dispersal of power to the people and regions]

5 ideas
Aim for the maximum dissemination of power consistent with efficiency [Mill]
     Full Idea: The safest practical ideal is to aim for the greatest dissemination of power consistent with efficiency.
     From: John Stuart Mill (On Liberty [1857], Ch.5)
     A reaction: This is a very nice principle, which I would think desirable within an institution as well as on the scale of the state. I am becoming a fan of Mill's politics. I still say that freedom is an overrated virtue, so efficiency must be underrated.
Power should be with smaller bodies, as long as it doesn't restrict central powers [Russell]
     Full Idea: The general principle of delimiting powers should be to leave to smaller bodies all functions which do not prevent larger bodies from fulfilling their purpose.
     From: Bertrand Russell (Authority and the Individual [1949], 5)
     A reaction: In recent years in the UK smaller local bodies have been severely reduced in power by central government. This is nominally in favour of individuals, but in practice seems to have strengthened the centre. Russell was keen on devolving powers.
Democracy is inadequate without a great deal of devolution [Russell]
     Full Idea: Democracy is not at all an adequate device unless it is accompanied by a very great amount of devolution.
     From: Bertrand Russell (Political Ideals [1917], 1)
     A reaction: This whole book of Russell's is an appeal for the devolution of power, and for workplace democracy.
We would not want UK affairs to be settled by a world parliament [Russell]
     Full Idea: We should none of us like the affairs of Great Britain to be settled by a parliament of the world.
     From: Bertrand Russell (Political Ideals [1917], 1)
     A reaction: The UK is currently (Dec 2018) living with a plan to quit Europe, mainly on the grounds that a European parliament has some authority over Britain. In every country resentment of the government increases with distance from the capital city.
The environment needs localised politics, with its care for the land [Dobson]
     Full Idea: More localised politics helps to generate the disposition of care for the land which is a core feature of environmental politics.
     From: Andrew Dobson (Environmental Politics: very short intro [2016], 4)
     A reaction: I currently live in a time when localised politics is hugely devalued, because centralisation and privatisation are cheaper. It seems obvious that many human needs require a commitment to a particular locality.