Single Idea 23842

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / f. Against democracy]

Full Idea

A democracy where public life is made up of strife between political parties is incapable of preventing the formation of a party whose avowed aim is the overthrow of that democracy.

Gist of Idea

Party politics in a democracy can't avoid an anti-democratic party

Source

Simone Weil (The Need for Roots [1943], I 'Opinion')

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'The Need for Roots' [Routledge 2002], p.28


A Reaction

We have seen this around 2020 in the USA and the UK. Freedom is compulsory? Weil hates political parties (as did Rousseau).

Related Idea

Idea 19803 If the state contains associations there are fewer opinions, undermining the general will [Rousseau]