Walter Bagehot: “But the peculiarity of arrested civilisation is to kill out varieties…”

On the record

But the peculiarity of arrested civilisation is to kill out varieties at birth almost; that is, in early childhood, and before they can develop.

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Walter Bagehot

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He critiques arrested civilizations for stifling diversity from an early age, preventing development.

More from Walter Bagehot

The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.

All savage religions are full of superstitions founded on luck.

Thirdly, we see why so few nations have made rapid advance, and how many have become stationary.

And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.

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Walter Bagehot: “But the peculiarity of arrested civilisation is to kill out varieties at birth almost; that is, in early childhood, and…”