We touch here upon one of the difficulties of democracy. After people leave school their knowledge of foreign countries, such as it is, is derived from the newspapers, and they will not buy a newspaper unless it flatters their prejudices. Consequently, the only knowledge they obtain is such as to confirm their pre-conceptions and passions. This is one of the great difficulties in the way of a sane conduct of international affairs, and I do not see how it is to be dealt with within the limits of nationalist democracy
Source: "As others see us" [From: Mortals and Others: Bertrand Russell's American Essays, 1931-1935, v.1 (1975)]
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