Single Idea 23152

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people]

Full Idea

From early days down to modern times war has been the chief engine in enlarging the size of communities, and fear has increasingly replaced tribal solidarity as a source of social cohesion.

Gist of Idea

Increasingly war expands communities, and unifies them through fear

Source

Bertrand Russell (Authority and the Individual [1949], 1)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Authority and the Individual' [Unwin 1977], p.15


A Reaction

It is a feature of modern nationalism to try to generate fear of various outsiders, even in times of peace. Most of us despise such things, but the underlying desire for greater national unity is not unworthy. What enemies would a world state have?