However imperfect election and representation may be in mixed Governments, they still give exercise to a greater portion of reason than is convenient to the hereditary Part; and therefore it becomes necessary to buy the reason up.
Paine observes that even flawed elections in mixed governments introduce too much reason for the hereditary elements, necessitating its suppression through bribery.
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To account for this sudden transition, it is proper to observe that there are two distinct species of popularity; the one excited by merit, and the other by resentment.
A knowledge of the practice was then joined to the theory; and all that was wanting to give it real existence was opportunity.
The meaning, then, good people, of all this, is: That government is governed by no principle whatever; that it can make evil good, or good evil, just as it pleases.
Whether robbery shall be banished from courts, and wretchedness from countries?