quote · Legacy record
Russell observes that "the merits of democracy are negative: it does not ensure good government, but it prevents certain evils," such as the evil of a small group of individuals achieving a secure monopoly on political power. The chief peril for the politician, Russell insists, is love of power. And politicians can easily yield to the love of power on the pretense that they are pursuing some absolute good.
Russell observes that "the merits of democracy are negative: it does not ensure good government, but it prevents certain evils," such as the evil of a small group of individuals achieving a secure monopoly on political power. The chief peril for the politician, Russell insists, is love of power. And politicians can easily yield to the love of power on the pretense that they are pursuing some absolute good.
Approximate author period: c. 1921 AD · modern
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- Author or tradition
- Bertrand Russell
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- Approximate author period: c. 1921 AD · modern
author lifetime midpoint (1872–1970)
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Supplied reference C; CSV row 302930; supplied attribution, independently unverified
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