Walter Bagehot: “To state the matter shortly, royalty is a government in which the…”

On the record

To state the matter shortly, royalty is a government in which the attention of the nation is concentrated on one person doing interesting actions.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

Bagehot contrasts the focus of monarchy with the distractions of a republic.

More from Walter Bagehot

They are solely concerned with his attractiveness as a candidate; they need not regard his efficiency as a ruler.

All savage religions are full of superstitions founded on luck.

But all men heed great results, and a change of Government is a great result.

The progress of the military art is the most conspicuous, I was about to say the most SHOWY, fact in human history.

Other voices in this conversation

Walter Bagehot: “To state the matter shortly, royalty is a government in which the attention of the nation is concentrated on one person…”