A Study Of Bertrand Russell's Political Thought

Human society suffered a great trauma in twentieth century,from the First World War,the Second World War,to the usage of nuclear weapons and the Cold War.Comparing with the nineteenth century,political thought experienced an extremely depression,which makes this century a valuable research subject.As an excellent philosopher,a profound political thinker,a worldwide active social activist,and witness of human peril,Bertrand Russell is an indispensable part of the twentieth century.This research uses Cambridge school of intellectual history as research path.Cambridge method puts emphasis on historical context of political thought of Bertrand Russell,discusses both political thought and social activities,which is different from contemporary political thought,or Leo Strauss School.Russell held an opposite position from academia frequently.Russell struggled in his dual role of Whig aristocrat and radical democrat,involved in a polarized discussion during the Great War,devoted himself to politics and the future of human society.He fought against just war theory and pacifism,argued for a relative political pacifism;discussed socialism and capitalism in an unbiased position,fought against one kind of socialism,committed to a new form of socialism.His greatest contribution is on warning the threat of nuclear weapons,considering peace as the first virtue in the twentieth century.In the year of 1920,Bertrand Russell was involved in the debate of new social structure of China.He cherished eastern culture very much,argued for multiculturalism,and claimed that China's progress should rely on itself,rather than western political thought.Russell represents a point a view:future of human society matters the most.Old tradition is still influential in 21st century,world peace is too far to achieve,which means Russell's warning is still working.