Some reflections on the importance of ‘how to rule”

Sara Larsson

doi:10.47284/2359-2419.2020.28.141147

Abstract

The present article proposes some reflections on the issue of “how to rule” as crucial to think about politics in terms of limits on government and thus in terms of preservation of fundamental freedoms. By referring to some of the most prominent thinkers of European Liberalism, the article examines the principle of “how to rule” in relation to that of “who rules” in order to stress how just the latter can imply – if isolated from the former – potentially dangerous elements for the guarantee of a free and civic coexistence. In the last part, the article recognizes the relevance of Liberal-democratic tradition of thought as a compromise between the two principles.

Highlights

RESUMO: O presente artigo propõe algumas reflexões sobre a questão de “como governar” como cruciais para pensar a política em termos de limites ao governo e, portanto, em termos de preservação das liberdades fundamentais
The story is well known: the animals of a farm decide to revolt against their cruel and brutal master, to live according to the noble principles of Socialism. Just those principles will be destroyed by the pigs – and precisely by the pig named Napoleon – who will impose a personal dictatorship in which “all animals are equal but some are more equal than others”, where Socialist principles and hopes will be reduced to a mere and empty phraseology for propaganda (ORWELL, 2004)
I think that “Animal Farm” – especially when the pigs rise to power legitimating their leadership in the name of Socialist principles – shows us the peril of a view of political power, which is mostly focused on the problem of “who rules” rather than on “how to rule”

Summary

Introduction

RESUMO: O presente artigo propõe algumas reflexões sobre a questão de “como governar” como cruciais para pensar a política em termos de limites ao governo e, portanto, em termos de preservação das liberdades fundamentais. I think that “Animal Farm” – especially when the pigs rise to power legitimating their leadership in the name of Socialist principles – shows us the peril of a view of political power, which is mostly focused on the problem of “who rules” rather than on “how to rule”.

Results

Conclusion