On the record
There is no security that an hereditary king will be competent to choose a good chief Minister, and thousands of such kings have chosen millions of bad Ministers.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
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gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “There is no security that an hereditary king will be competent to choose a good chief Minister, and thousands of such…”
Editor's note · Context
This statement reflects Bagehot's skepticism about the competency of hereditary rulers in selecting capable ministers.
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More from Walter Bagehot
Subject to this saving remark, however, I not only admit, but maintain, that our Constitution is full of curious oddities, which are impeding and mischievous, and ought to be struck out.
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.
Political philosophy is still more imperfect; it has been framed from observations taken upon regular specimens of politics and States; as to these its teaching is most valuable.
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.
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