On the record
The organic society of the middle ages gives place to an individual who builds the State out of his own desires.
Said by
Harold J. Laski
Source
gutenberg.orgHarold J. Laski: “The organic society of the middle ages gives place to an individual who builds the State out of his own desires.”
Editor's note · Context
Laski discusses the transition from medieval organic societies to individualism in state-building, reflecting on historical shifts in political thought.
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More from Harold J. Laski
Each age makes some idol in its own image and sacrifices upon its altar the freedom of those who refuse it worship.
The essence of the persecuting position is always that the persecutor has hold of truth and that he would betray its service by allowing it to be questioned.
He is able, accordingly, to indulge in the twofold luxury not only of preserving his own authority, but also of assisting the persons attacked to enter, if they so choose, the way of truth.
It has been the historic character of persecution always to degrade the persecutor and to strengthen the persecuted by drawing attention to their claims.
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