ABSTRACT
The Liberal view of the state depends on a view of society which is essentially individualistic. It assumes that citizens exercise their political rights as individuals choosing freely among rival candidates, conflicting policies, and differing views of the good life, and not as members of a group or category whose views are determined by that membership. It assumes that, although men’s opinions and personal interests vary, there is no fundamental conflict of interests in society of a kind that arrays man against man or group against group. It assumes that, because the conflicts in society are not fundamental, the state can be neutral in its attitude towards them. It assumes that the neutrality of the state will be generally accepted as a fact, and that in consequence minorities will be willing to accept the decision of the majority, knowing that by education and propaganda the minority of today can become the majority of tomorrow.
