Bertrand on Democracy and the Socialist State

I’m currently reading The Bertrand Russell Collection

Bertrand was one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, and widely regarded as a super smart guy with his head in many different subjects.

Political Ideals

Bertrand had a lot to say about the State which I’m finding, when you look at different aspects of New Zealand, echo down through the century between his words and now. They seem as relevant now as they did 100 years ago.

For example,

… where the State is the only employer, there is no refuge from its prejudices such as may now accidentally arise through the differing opinions of different men. The State would be able to enforce any system of beliefs it happened to like, and it is almost certain that it would do so.Freedom of thought would be penalized, and all independence of spirit would die out.

Bertrand Russell. The Bertrand Russell Collection (pp. 541-542). Blackmore Dennett. Kindle Edition.

Now think about all of the prejudices which have come into the public sector and imposed on its workforce: ta ao Maori, te reo, pink shirt day, gender diversity…

Can any of these be “disagreed with” by a public servant with a different mind?

and

Democracy is a device—the best so far invented—for diminishing as much as possible the interference of governments with liberty. If a nation is divided into two sections which cannot both have their way, democracy theoretically insures that the majority shall have their way.

But democracy is not at all an adequate device unless it is accompanied by a very great amount of devolution.

Love of uniformity, or the mere pleasure of interfering, or dislike of differing tastes and temperaments, may often lead a majority to control a minority in matters which do not really concern the majority.

We should none of us like to have the internal affairs of Great Britain settled by a parliament of the world, if ever such a body came into existence. Nevertheless, there are matters which such a body could settle much better than any existing instrument of government.

Bertrand Russell. The Bertrand Russell Collection (pp. 531-532). Blackmore Dennett. Kindle Edition. Emphasis mine

As we concentrate more and more activity into the Center under political control, how well is the concept of democracy really working for us? How much is it being used to remove our choices in things we might have legitimate difference on; for example, access to for-profit health, or non-state schools?