Single Idea 20510

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy]

Full Idea

We are very unlikely to be able to find an instrumental defence of democracy which also builds the values of freedom and equality into a feasible system.

Gist of Idea

A system of democracy which includes both freedom and equality is almost impossible

Source

Jonathan Wolff (An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) [2006], 3 'Conc')

Book Reference

Wolff,Jonathan: 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev)' [OUP 2006], p.101


A Reaction

I increasingly think that freedom is the most overrated political virtue (though it is certainly a virtue). Total freedom is ridiculous, but the aim of sacrificing many other social goods in order to maximise freedom also looks wrong.