On the record
With an Assembly in this temper, real discussion is impossible, and Parliamentary government is impossible too, because the Parliament can neither choose men nor measures.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “With an Assembly in this temper, real discussion is impossible, and Parliamentary government is impossible too, because…”
Editor's note · Context
Bagehot critiques the chaotic nature of the French Assembly, arguing that such an environment hinders effective parliamentary governance.
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More from Walter Bagehot
The casual line was traced according to the strength of deceased combatants; succeeding generations fought elsewhere; and the hesitating line of a half-drawn battle was left to stand for a perpetual limit.
It is natural that those who by special and admirable culture have come to look at all things upon the artistic side, should start back from these queer peculiarities.
At last it strikes you that they grew up, house by house, on the devious tracks of the old green lanes; and if you follow on to the existing fields, you may often find the change half complete.
I cannot, therefore, join in the full cry against anomalies; in my judgment it may quickly overrun the scent, and so miss what we should be glad to find.
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