The Enlightened Goal of Politics

Asking for the Impossible?

The goal of politics is intrinsically enlightened in our original conception: pursuit of the general good of society and the good of each member. We must never lose sight of that goal.

Politics will certainly require social institutions which are specifically oriented to such a goal in a realistic way. At present, nobody really grasps whether this can happen at all. Many think Western societies have attained the most that can be expected of human beings: such is the deluding power of conventional wisdom.

We must not ask our politicians to be other than they are—or perhaps feel forced to be. Rising to the challenge of governing society in our times, as much as in times past, apparently requires a readiness to be devious, lying, self-serving, manipulative, venal, and not over-bothered by either ignorance or scruples.

Such people will always exist in society. However, they only become politicians if the incentives flowing from cultural values select them as suitable for leadership positions. That is currently the case, but it could change. Rather easily. Sooner or later, it will.

Being Realistic

There is no reason why the members of a society could not choose to:

If the origin of politics is found in the lust of individuals for power, somewhat apart from serving the general good, then maturation in politics means reversing the balance: i.e. the end of politics will be about selecting individuals possessing a concern for the general good, somewhat apart from their likely lust for power.

The challenge to reach that enlightened goal lies with the people, individually and collectively—never with members of the current political classes, who naturally support the status quo.


Originally posted: July 2009; Last updated: 24-Feb-2014