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A comment on The normalization of corruption in organizations (2003) [pdf]. Parent comment

Re:The normalization of corruption in organizations (2003) [... by bell-cot on Friday February 27, 2026 @09:13AM (#47180674)
If you're familiar with English history, then it's more understandable that Lord Acton (Catholic, and born a mere Baronet) was against powerful central authorities.

And at least according to Wikipedia, Acton's positions on the Confederacy and slavery were very mainstream for English Catholics of the day.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The normalization of corruption in organizations (2003) [... by b40d-48b2-979e on Friday February 27, 2026 @10:29AM (#47181659) 

    positions on [...] slavery were very mainstream
Thankfully we also had figures like John Brown to fight the good fight.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist)

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Re:The normalization of corruption in organizations (2003) [... by bell-cot on Friday February 27, 2026 @11:07AM (#47182159)
To clarify - John Brown was an American, with a Puritan/Calvinist background, born to fairly humble circumstances. Very unlike Acton.

And Britain's record on slavery is both far more complex, and far less bad, than many modern ideologues might have us believe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Africa_Squadron

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Re:The normalization of corruption in organizations (2003) [... by watwut on Saturday February 28, 2026 @10:54AM (#47196785)
He was pro powerful central authority, as long as that powerful central authority is pro-slavery.

He was against it when it prevented oppression.

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Re:The normalization of corruption in organizations (2003) [... by bell-cot on Saturday February 28, 2026 @09:48PM (#47203119)
Who is this "he" you are describing? Because your "he" bears minimal resemblance to the (extensively documented) Lord Acton.
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