The Altruist in Politics

** "The Altruist in Politics" by Benjamin N. Cardozo is a speech given at Columbia College that questions the role of selflessness in government. It examines ideas like communism and socialism and how they change how people act and how society is set up. Cardozo looks at whether focusing on the group instead of the individual really works and what it means for running a country. He argues that pushing altruism too far can hurt people's drive and imagination. By looking at past attempts at communal living, he suggests that putting the group first can actually stop progress, leading to a society where personal freedom is given up for the sake of equality and where the human spirit is stifled. **