The English ConstitutionA classic study of the British constitution, paying special attention to how Parliament and the monarchy work. The author frequently draws comparisons with the American Constitution, being generally critical of the American system of government. |
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Page xii
Curiously enough the class which in theory was omnipotent , was the only class
financially ill - treated . Throughout the history of our former Parliaments the
constituency could no more have originated the policy which those Parliaments ...
Curiously enough the class which in theory was omnipotent , was the only class
financially ill - treated . Throughout the history of our former Parliaments the
constituency could no more have originated the policy which those Parliaments ...
Page xxiii
As I have endeavoured in this book to explain , the literary theory of the English
Constitution is on this point quite wrong as usual . According to that theory , the
two Houses are two branches of the Legislature , perfectly equal and perfectly ...
As I have endeavoured in this book to explain , the literary theory of the English
Constitution is on this point quite wrong as usual . According to that theory , the
two Houses are two branches of the Legislature , perfectly equal and perfectly ...
Page xliv
In abstract theory these defects in our present practice would seem exceedingly
great , but in practice they are not so . English statesmen and English parties
have really a great patriotism , they can rarely be persuaded even by their
passions ...
In abstract theory these defects in our present practice would seem exceedingly
great , but in practice they are not so . English statesmen and English parties
have really a great patriotism , they can rarely be persuaded even by their
passions ...
Page 1
He will see in the life much which is not in the books ; and he will not find in the
rough practice many refinements of the literary theory . It was natural — perhaps
inevitable — that such an undergrowth of irrelevant ideas should gather round
the ...
He will see in the life much which is not in the books ; and he will not find in the
rough practice many refinements of the literary theory . It was natural — perhaps
inevitable — that such an undergrowth of irrelevant ideas should gather round
the ...
Page 3
Kings , lords , and commons , by this theory , are alleged to be not only the
outward form , but the inner moving essence , the vitality of the constitution . A
great theory , called the theory of “ Checks and Balances , ” pervades an
immense part of ...
Kings , lords , and commons , by this theory , are alleged to be not only the
outward form , but the inner moving essence , the vitality of the constitution . A
great theory , called the theory of “ Checks and Balances , ” pervades an
immense part of ...
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - patito-de-hule - LibraryThingWalter Bagehot was editor of the Economist and his name is still on the weekly page about England. This book describes the English Constitution and compares it favorably with the United States Constitution. Read full review
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Common terms and phrases
able action administration American arguments assembly authority believe better body cabinet cabinet government chamber choose constitution course critical Crown defect difficulty discussion educated effect election England English equal executive existence experience fact feeling force foreign function George give greatest head House of Commons House of Lords ideas important influence interest keep king leader least legislation legislature less live look majority matter means ment mind minister ministry monarch nation nature never object once opinion opposition Parliament parliamentary government party peers perhaps persons political popular possible present President principle probably Queen questions reason representatives respect result rule society sort sovereign speak statesmen sure theory things thought tion true vote whole wish
Popular passages
Page 72 - Having once given her sanction to a measure, that it be not arbitrarily altered or modified by the Minister; such an act she must consider as failing in sincerity towards the Crown, and justly to be visited by the exercise of her Constitutional right of dismissing that Minister.
Page 73 - To state the matter shortly, the sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy such as ours, three rights — the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn. And a king of great sense and sagacity would want no others.
Page 14 - hyphen which joins, a buckle which fastens the legislative part of the State to the executive part".
Page 291 - CHANGE OF AIR AND SCENE. A Physician's Hints about Doctors, Patients, Hygiene, and Society ; with Notes of Excursions for health in the Pyrenees, and amongst the Watering-places of France (Inland and Seaward), Switzerland, Corsica, and the Mediterranean. By Dr.
Page 10 - The efficient secret of the English Constitution may be described as the close union, the nearly complete fusion, of the executive and legislative powers.
Page 293 - FIRST BOOK OF BOTANY. Designed to Cultivate the Observing Powers of Children. With 300 Engravings, New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo.
Page 293 - YOUMANS (Eliza A.). An Essay on the Culture of the Observing Powers of Children, especially in connection with the Study of Botany. Edited, with Notes and a Supplement, by Joseph Payne, FCP, Author of " Lectures on the Science and Art of Education,
Page 292 - BRIEFS AND PAPERS. Being Sketches of the Bar and the Press. By Two Idle Apprentices. Crown 8vo. 7^. 6d. " Written with spirit and knowledge, and give some curious glimpses into what the majority will regard as strange and unknown territories." — Daily News. " This is one of the best books to while away an hour and cause a generous laugh that we have come across for a long time.
Bibliographic information
| Title | The English Constitution The Making of the Modern Law |
| Author | Walter Bagehot |
| Edition | 2, reprint |
| Publisher | H. S. King & Company, 1872 |
| Original from | Harvard University |
| Digitized | 13 Mar 2008 |
| Length | 291 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |