Political Quotes

Walter Bagehot: A cone balanced on its point is in unstable equilibrium, for if you push it ever so little it will depart farther and…

On the record
A cone balanced on its point is in unstable equilibrium, for if you push it ever so little it will depart farther and farther from its position and fall to the earth.
Said by
Walter Bagehot

Editor's note · Context

He uses the metaphor of a cone balanced on its point to illustrate the concept of unstable political equilibrium.

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