Unless a member of the legislature be sure of something more than speech, unless he is incited by the hope of action, and chastened by the chance of responsibility, a first-rate man will not care to take the place, and will not do much if he does take it.
Bagehot argues that without the promise of action and responsibility, capable individuals will not engage in legislative roles.
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More from Walter Bagehot
In early society, originality in life was forbidden and repressed by the fixed rule of life.
The United States could not have become monarchical, even if the Constitutional Convention had decreed it, even if the component States had ratified it.
The nation then selected the English policy, but the Crown chose the English Ministers.
Those who doubt should go out into their kitchens.
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