Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Herodotus, Bertrand Russell and David Hume

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35 ideas

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people
23153 Gradually loyalty to a creed increased, which could even outweigh nationality [Russell]
23152 Increasingly war expands communities, and unifies them through fear [Russell]
23155 In early societies the leaders needed cohesion, but the rest just had to obey [Russell]
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 2. Population / b. State population
23156 The economic and political advantages of great size seem to have no upper limit [Russell]
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / b. Natural equality
21099 People must have agreed to authority, because they are naturally equal, prior to education [Hume]
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 1. Purpose of a State
3921 The safety of the people is the supreme law [Hume]
21096 The only purpose of government is to administer justice, which brings security [Hume]
23157 Government has a negative purpose, to prevent trouble, and a positive aim of realising our desires [Russell]
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract
21100 The idea that society rests on consent or promises undermines obedience [Hume]
20495 We no more give 'tacit assent' to the state than a passenger carried on board a ship while asleep [Hume]
21101 The people would be amazed to learn that government arises from their consent [Hume]
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions
21091 It would be absurd if even a free constitution did not impose restraints, for the public good [Hume]
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy
21097 Modern monarchies are (like republics) rule by law, rather than by men [Hume]
23151 A monarch is known to everyone in the group, and can thus unite large groups [Russell]
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / d. Elites
21092 Nobility either share in the power of the whole, or they compose the power of the whole [Hume]
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government
3927 Society prefers helpful lies to harmful truth [Hume]
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / b. Devolution
23167 Power should be with smaller bodies, as long as it doesn't restrict central powers [Russell]
21523 We would not want UK affairs to be settled by a world parliament [Russell]
21522 Democracy is inadequate without a great deal of devolution [Russell]
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 2. Anarchism
23168 A state is essential, to control greedy or predatory impulses [Russell]
21521 Anarchy does not maximise liberty [Russell]
23163 In an anarchy universities, research, books, and even seaside holidays, would be impossible [Russell]
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / c. Direct democracy
21528 Groups should be autonomous, with a neutral authority as arbitrator [Russell]
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / f. Against democracy
21527 On every new question the majority is always wrong at first [Russell]
23166 In democracy we are more aware of being governed than of our tiny share in government [Russell]
23169 Democratic institutions become impossible in a fanatical democracy [Russell]
21526 Unfortunately ordinary voters can't detect insincerity [Russell]
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics
23170 Liberal opinions are tentative rather than dogmatic, and are always responsive to new evidence [Russell]
23172 Empiricist Liberalism is the only view for someone who favours scientific evidence and happiness [Russell]
23171 Empiricism is ethically superior, because dogmatism favours persecution and hatred [Russell]
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 8. Socialism
21525 When the state is the only employer, there is no refuge from the prejudices of other people [Russell]
23162 Managers are just as remote from workers under nationalisation as under capitalism [Russell]
23165 Socialists say economic justice needs some state control of industries, and of foreign trade [Russell]
23160 Being a slave of society is hardly better than being a slave of a despot [Russell]
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 11. Capitalism
21518 Men unite in pursuit of material things, and idealise greed as part of group loyalty [Russell]