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Ideas of Benjamin Constant, by Text

[French, 1767 - 1830, Courtier, diplomat and writer.]

1806	Principles of Politics

	p.107	22595	Liberty is the triumph of the individual, over both despotic government and enslaving majorities
			Full Idea: Lliberty is the triumph of the individual, as much over a government which seeks to rule by despotic methods, as over the masses who seek to render the minority the slave of the majority.
			From: Benjamin Constant (Principles of Politics [1806]), quoted by Ian Dunt - How to be a Liberal 4
			A reaction: [No page given] Dunt describes Constant's book as the first really systematic account of liberalism. Very important to have rights against the majority, as well as against government.

	p.127	22597	Minority rights are everyone's rights, because we all have turns in the minority
			Full Idea: To defend the rights of minorities is to defend the rights of all. Everyone in turn finds himself in the minority.
			From: Benjamin Constant (Principles of Politics [1806]), quoted by Ian Dunt - How to be a Liberal 4
			A reaction: Very conformist people, who are often the most oppressive, are rarely in the minority, and are unlikely to be impressed by this idea.