Single Idea 23142

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics]

Full Idea

Liberalism makes the idea of fallibility into a political practice by trying not to have too much power concentrated in one place or part of the system.

Gist of Idea

People are fallible, so liberalism tries to distribute power

Source

Adam Gopnik (A Thousand Small Sanities [2019], 3)

Book Reference

Gopnik,Adam: 'A Thousand Small Sanities' [riverrun 2019], p.191


A Reaction

There is a potential inefficiency and failure to focus on key goals implicit in this aim. It may be a good idea for a peacetime democracy, but a terrible idea for a wartime army. To stop corruption, don't let anyone do anything?

Related Idea

Idea 22863 Power is the capacity of a social class to realise its interests [Lukes]