Simone Weil--philosopher, activist, mystic--is one of the most uncompromising of
modern spiritual masters. In "On the Abolition of All Political Parties" she ch
allenges the foundation of the modern liberal political order, making an argumen
t that has particular resonance today, when the apathy and anger of the people a
nd the self-serving partisanship of the political class present a threat to demo
cracies all over the world. Dissecting the dynamic of power and propaganda cause
d by party spirit, the increasing disregard for truth in favor of opinion, and t
he consequent corruption of education, journalism, and art, Weil forcefully make
s the case that a true politics can only begin where party spirit ends.
