Walter Bagehot: “As soon as experience had shown this, or seemed to show it, the theory…”

On the record

As soon as experience had shown this, or seemed to show it, the theory that two chambers were essential to a good and free Government vanished away.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

Bagehot notes that practical experience can challenge theoretical assumptions about the necessity of bicameral legislatures.

More from Walter Bagehot

And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

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

But all men heed great results, and a change of Government is a great result.

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Walter Bagehot: “As soon as experience had shown this, or seemed to show it, the theory that two chambers were essential to a good and…”