Every nation, is an 'hereditary co-operative group,' bound by a fixed custom; and out of those groups those conquer which have the most binding and most invigorating customs, and these are, as a rough rule, the best customs.
Bagehot presents the idea that nations are formed by cooperative groups bound by customs, which determine their success.
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They are above corruption because they are the corruptors.
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But as soon as the House met, Lord Thurlow became the greatest.
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