Common good Quote by Allan Bloom
““Although the natural rights inherent in our( Constitutional) regime are adequate to the solution of this ( minority) problem...the equal protection of the law did not protect a man from contempt and hatred as a Jew, an Italian or a Black"..." 'Openness' was designed to provide a respectable place for those groups or minorities--to wrest respect from those who were disposed to give it--This breaks the delicate balance between majority and minority in Constitutional thought. In such a perspective where there is no common good, minorities are no longer problematic and the protection of them emerges as THE central function of government.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom, 1987
The quote argues that constitutional equal protection fails to shield minorities from societal contempt, and that modern emphasis on minority rights shifts government focus to protecting them as a central purpose, disrupting the balance between majority and minority.
In simple terms: Constitutional protections don’t stop prejudice; focus on minority rights changes government’s main role.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of legal protection and seek broader cultural respect.
Themes
minority rights
government role
constitutional law
social justice
balance of power
Mood
reflective
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- public policy
- education curricula
- community dialogue
- media representation
Key Concepts
social contract
pluralism
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster genuine respect beyond legal safeguards?
- What risks arise when minority protection becomes the sole governmental focus?
A Different Perspective
Legal equality alone cannot eliminate bias; cultural attitudes also need change.
