Topics Justice

Question My parents tend to blame the ills of UK society on the Thatcher government. In relation to this, I wonder to what extent a single figure or political era can shape a people, given that whatever a party or figure says or does comes from the prior possibility for that particular action or speech. Philosophically speaking, can we hold a single figure or political era responsible for any society considered 'as a whole' (i.e., seen in general)? Also, can you direct me to any philosophers who have written about this? thank-you.

Accepted:
March 20, 2006

Comments

I suppose we could point to important figures such as Hitler and Stalin who surely can be said to have made a significant contribution as individuals to political life, albeit negatively, and Winston Churchill in a more benign manner. It might be said that they could only have exercised such influence had the context been right, and no doubt that is true, but it is difficult not to acknowledge the ways in which they stamped their individual characters on their societies and the world in consequence. I don't know which philosophers have written on this, it is more an issue for political scientists I suppose.