On the record
Where there is no honest poverty, where education is diffused, and political intelligence is common, it is easy for the mass of the people to elect a fair legislature.
Said by
Walter Bagehot
Source
gutenberg.orgWalter Bagehot: “Where there is no honest poverty, where education is diffused, and political intelligence is common, it is easy for the…”
Editor's note · Context
He argues that in a society where poverty is honest and education is widespread, the electorate can effectively choose a fair legislature.
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More from Walter Bagehot
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.
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.
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.
Our law very often reminds one of those outskirts of cities where you cannot for a long time tell how the streets come to wind about in so capricious and serpent-like a manner.
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