Walter Bagehot: “The House of Lords, being an hereditary chamber, cannot be of more…”

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The House of Lords, being an hereditary chamber, cannot be of more than common ability.

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Walter Bagehot

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Bagehot critiques the inherent limitations of the hereditary nature of the House of Lords.

More from Walter Bagehot

And again, in political matters, how quickly a leading statesman can change the tone of the community!

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

The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.

The nation then selected the English policy, but the Crown chose the English Ministers.

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Walter Bagehot: “The House of Lords, being an hereditary chamber, cannot be of more than common ability.”