(7 April 1884 – 16 May 1942).
Polish anthropologist and ethnologist whose writings on ethnography, social theory, and field research have exerted a lasting influence on the discipline of anthropology.
Bronisław Malinowski. Photo: wikipedia.org
Failure of political freedom destroys all other freedoms.
Photo: Kyle Glenn. Meaning: The core of the statement is that political freedom is the mother of freedom — the freedom from which all other freedoms flow. If that is lost (through totalitarianism, dictatorship, or war), the other freedoms automatically disappear as well: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, personal freedom, economic freedom, and so on. Malinowski’s central argument was that freedom is an essential element of culture and civilization, and that when freedom is threatened by an ideology — particularly a totalitarian one — cultural progress comes to a standstill. In concrete terms, political freedom here means: the ability of citizens to participate in government, to choose their leaders, and to exert influence through democratic processes. Without that political pillar, one has nothing upon which to found or defend other freedoms. Context: The book was based on Malinowski’s lectures at Yale University, and he considered himself a defender of democracy against the fascism and totalitarianism of his time. The statement fits seamlessly into that context: he wrote this in the middle of the Second World War, as a warning to the free West. The idea is related to that of other thinkers — Isaiah Berlin distinguished between positive and negative freedom, and Hannah Arendt likewise argued that political participation forms the core of human freedom. However, the concise formulation you cite is generally attributed to Malinowski. Author and source: This quote is attributed to Bronisław Malinowski (1884–1942), the Polish-British anthropologist. It is taken from his book Freedom and Civilization (1944, published posthumously). The book is the definitive embodiment of Malinowski’s convictions regarding war, totalitarianism, and the future of humanity. From the very beginning of Hitler’s rise to power, Malinowski was an outspoken opponent of National Socialism and repeatedly urged Americans to abandon their neutrality; as a result, his books were banned in Germany.
Door Pieter
Mensenmens, zoon, echtgenoot, vader, opa.
Spiritueel, echter niet religieus.
Ik hou van golf, wandelen, lezen en de natuur in veel opzichten.
Onderzoeker, nieuwsgierig, geen fan van de mainstream media (MSM).
