The idea that the head of the Government is the head of society is so fixed in the ideas of mankind that only a few philosophers regard it as historical and accidental, though when the matter is examined, that conclusion is certain and even obvious.
Bagehot argues that the perception of the Government as the head of society is a widely accepted but historically contingent idea.
Share
More from Walter Bagehot
Perhaps such powers as these are what a wise man would most seek to exercise and least fear to possess.
I do not think I put this too high when I say that a most important if not the most important object of early legislation was the enforcement of LUCKY rites.
That a House of Commons may work well it must perform, as we saw, five functions well: it must elect a Ministry well, legislate well, teach the nation well, express the nation's will well, bring matters to the nation's attention well.
One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.
Other voices in this conversation
