Single Idea 22597

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / c. Liberal equality]

Full Idea

To defend the rights of minorities is to defend the rights of all. Everyone in turn finds himself in the minority.

Gist of Idea

Minority rights are everyone's rights, because we all have turns in the minority

Source

Benjamin Constant (Principles of Politics [1806]), quoted by Ian Dunt - How to be a Liberal 4

Book Reference

Dunt,Ian: 'How to Be a Liberal' [Canbury Press 2020], p.127


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.