Walter Bagehot: “While descent is traced only through the mother, and while the family…”

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While descent is traced only through the mother, and while the family is therefore a vague entity, no progress to a high polity is possible.

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Walter Bagehot

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Bagehot argues that a lack of clear family lineage hinders the advancement of political systems.

More from Walter Bagehot

And, to the effectual maintenance of such a separation, the exclusion of the President's Ministers from the legislature is essential.

But the Jewish advantage never did so; beginning in religion, contrary to a thousand analogies, it remained religious.

But as soon as the House met, Lord Thurlow became the greatest.

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

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Walter Bagehot: “While descent is traced only through the mother, and while the family is therefore a vague entity, no progress to a high…”