16.) 1.) Self- government requires the discipline of the citizenry, to prevent the wholesale
descent into faction, or the absorption in private pleasures to the detriment of public
duties;
2.) Furthermore, at least a modicum of decency is required to maintain the level of
political judgment necessary to elect candidates for office, and to discern the qualities
necessary to make a good leader;
3.) Finally, it is necessary to limit the matters that are the subject of political debate, or the
polity will never get beyond debates on first principles, or will deteriorate into civil strife.
Therefore, there must be a substantial consensus underpinning public life, shared values
that are not continually the subject of debate;
4.) Therefore, it is necessary to instill the values of our culture in our children, at home
and in school, and to encourage self- discipline as a virtue, rather than glorifying self-
expression and the attitude of "whatever floats your boat", and to uphold our fundamental
values and the virtue of self- discipline in all relevant forums. |
