Two concepts of liberalism
Liberalism contains two philosophies. In one, toleration is justified as a means to truth. In this view, toleration is an instrument of rational consensus, and a diversity of ways of life is endured in the faith that it is destined to disappear. In the other, toleration is valued as a condition of peace, and divergent ways of living are welcomed as marks of diversity in the good life.

The first conception supports an ideal of ultimate convergence on values, the latter an ideal of modus vivendi. Liberalism's future lies in turning its face away from the ideal of rational consensus and looking instead to modus vivendi.

John Gray Two Faces of Liberalism (2000)

Meet the Fabians
I was connected by marriage with Mrs Sidney Webb, and had, indeed, spent the last weekend before leaving for Moscow at Passfield to receive her and her Consort's blessing.

These two extraordinary individuals were then in the high tide of their Soviet enthusiasm. She paced up and down with her large quick strides, while he sat, minute, in his chair. Together they intoned their Fabian admiration for the Soviet regime and all its works, one taking up the refrain when the other paused. His particular enthusiasm was for the Consumers' Co-operatives, hers for the Party elite and their abstemious ways.

What they really admired was the regime's sheer power; the fact that there were no votes to be taken, no motions to be referred back, no tedious, boneheaded trade unionists to be coaxed and cajoled. This emerged when Mrs Webb said: "It's true that in the Soviet Union people disappear.

"She accentuated this last word, "disappear", and I realised, even in my somewhat euphoric condition, how happy she would have been if similar arrangements prevailed in the LCC, and recalcitrant councillors and aldermen could be made likewise to disappear.

Malcolm Muggeridge Tread Softly for you Tread on my Dreams (1966)

Schools and gaols
A radical approach to education requires a correct understanding of the problem and also of what has been tried so far. Our compulsory schooling is disguised child care, or the corralling of children to get them safely out of the way, so their parents can function economically. This is the primary purpose, and teaching anything worthwhile is secondary.

In achieving its primary purpose it is partially successful - although more and more of the inmates are successfully breaking out or behaving so as to guarantee their own exclusion from the system.

The economics and organisational logistics of prisons are unlikely to be the same as those which might successfully apply to schools. Gaols also tend to be compulsory environments where you serve a term and are eventually released.

Real schools throughout human history have been institutions where the candidates genuinely want to study and where they have managed the difficulties of gaining entry. Entry to a real school is based on the capacity and desire to learn.

Christopher Ross Tunnel Visions: Journeys of an underground philosopher (2001)