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Lord Acton's Theory of Nationality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2009

Hector J. Massey
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Extract

The philosophical framework for Lord Acton's theory of nationality, or to be more accurate his theory of multinationality, derives both from Aristotle and from Christian thinkers of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. In Aristotle he found the view that the nature of the state is to be a plurality. Aquinas gave him “a very large element of political liberalism,” while Leibnitz contributed the idea of development, particularly the notion that development involves continuity and progress. Combining these points of view, Acton embraced a patently individualistic position, believing firmly that only the individual man possesses moral and political rights. Classes, races and states are at best chance groupings, at worst tortuous human inventions, and consequently have no inherent rights. It is “easier to find people fit to govern themselves,” according to Acton, “than people fit to govern others.”

Type
Research Article
Information
The Review of Politics , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , October 1969 , pp. 495 - 508
Copyright
Copyright © University of Notre Dame 1969

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References

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