Single Idea 23052

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship]

Full Idea

Enfranchisement of the people is an end in itself. …Only citizenship makes the moral man; only citizenship gives that respect which is the true basis of the respect for others.

Gist of Idea

Enfranchisement is an end in itself; it makes a person moral, and gives a basis for respect

Source

T.H. Green (works [1875], iii:436), quoted by John H. Muirhead - The Service of the State IV

Book Reference

Muirhead,John H.: 'The Service of the State: T.H. Green' [John Murray 2021], p.85


A Reaction

Should people respect their betters? If so, that is a sort of deferential respect which is different from the mutual respect between equals. That said, I wholly approve of this idea.