Bertrand Russell Quotes - occasional edition

It is useless to urge that politicians ought to be high-minded enough to advocate what enlightened opinion considers good, because if they do they are swept aside for others. ...There is therefore no point in moral exhortations to politicians to be disinterested, except in the crude sense of not taking bribes.
Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926
More info.: Sceptical Essays, 1928, chap.11: the need for political scepticism

a brief comment
The relationship between politicians and voters often contains contradictory aspects and practical compromises. Many candidates make election promises that they know cannot be realized immediately, accept illicit political funds, or receive support from groups seeking to secure vested interests. Voters, in turn, tend to choose candidates who appear likely to advance the interests of themselves, their families, or their social groups, rather than those who aim to benefit the general public, which would result in only small gains for each individual.
In terms of election promises and campaign funding, political compromise and dishonesty often accompany these processes, leading to the harsh reality that one cannot win an election without lying. Given this reality, as Russell states, it becomes increasingly clear that "it is futile to tell politicians not to lie."

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Politicians are often forced to make pragmatic compromises in the course of their campaigns and political activities. Needless to say, there is often a gap between ideals and reality, and how they navigate this gap is crucial. For example, the episode involving Prime Minister Takeshita Noboru (at the time) and the "praise killing" vividly illustrates how politicians are forced into difficult choices. He received praise via loudspeakers from a right-wing group that said, "Let's make Takeshita, the best money-maker in Japan, our Prime Minister! That will surely make Japan prosperous!" Unable to have it stopped by the police, he eventually had to pay a large sum of money to resolve the situation. This case symbolizes the difficult situations politicians often face.

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