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| 22258 | Passion for progress is always short-lived |
| Full Idea: Progress demands passions that cannot last for long. | |||
| From: Michael J. Sandel (Beyond Individualism [1988], p.35) | |||
| A reaction: The obvious example, for me, is the Labour Government in the UK, 1945-51. This is the kind of realism which progressive politicians must face up to. Unfortunately it is the logic of very ruthless revolutionaries. |
| 22259 | Conservatives are either individualistic, or communal |
| Full Idea: Individualist conservatives believe people should be free to do as they please so long as they do not harm others. ...Communal conservatives, by contrast, believe government should affirm moral and religious values. | |||
| From: Michael J. Sandel (Beyond Individualism [1988], p.38) | |||
| A reaction: Nozick represents the first group (as does J.S.Mill, usually seen as epitomising liberalism). He says the first group like volunteer armies and oppose welfare; the second group favour conscription and conservative welfare. |
| 22260 | Modern liberalism fails to articulate a vision of the common good |
| Full Idea: In recent years liberalism has faltered because of its failure to argue for a vision of the common good. | |||
| From: Michael J. Sandel (Beyond Individualism [1988], p.45) | |||
| A reaction: This is Sandel's main theme. He derives his concept of the common good from the essential natures of persons and institutions. I greatly admire this. |