date

1818 Sept. 29. Parl. Reform Bill
1818 Sept. 29.

Parl. Reform Bill

VII or VIII

Reasons 3 o

'.2. Electors Who

Universality

1. Probity

17

But, under /on/ the here proposed system /plan/ of virtually universal suffrage no elector has any possible means of giving effect to this same propensity: he has no possible means of promoting in any case his self-regarding interest separately considered, and to the sacrifice or prejudice of the interest of any other individual or of that of the whole community: he has not any possible means of preventing self regarding interest in any shape other than that of his own share in the aggregate the universal interest.

37. This then, with a degree of effect or at least of promise proportioned to that of his appropriate intellectual aptitude, is the interest and the only interest which in the exercise of the right in question it will be to his study and endeavour to promote.

37. Thus then /under/ Monarchy and Aristocracy this predominance of personal /self-regarding/ over universal interest, and the consequently constant sacrifice of the universal to the particular interest, is altogether certain and impreventible: under Representative Democracy, in the situation of Representative, preventible; in the situation of Elector, impossible: that is to say the sacrifice of the universal interest notwithstanding the predominance of the self-regarding /personal/ interest.
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  • Title: [1818 Sept. 29. Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Sept. 29.

    Parl. Reform Bill

    VII or VIII

    Reasons 3 o

    '.2 Electors Who

    Universality

    1. Probity

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    32. In the situation of Elector having a vote in the election of a democratical assembly of Representatives chosen and seated upon the principle of virtually universal suffrage there will in like manner be in the breast of every Member a constant and continually predominant propensity to sacrifice to the self-regarding interest of the individual, and thence to the collective interest of the Assembly /whole body/, social interest in the largest scale.

    33 Observe now in these several situations, respectively observe now what there is, if any thing by which this sacrifice can be opposed.

    In the situation of Monarch there is {nothing to oppose the sacrifice,} absolutely nothing.

    34 In the situation of Member of an Aristocratical governing body there is absolutely nothing {to oppose this sacrifice}

    35 In the situation of Member of a Democratical assembly of Representatives chosen as above upon the principle /under the system/ of virtually universal suffrage, there exists a check /curb/ to this propensity, and such a check as affords every promise of being /is capable of being rendered /belonging// compleatly effectual. /for the most part an effectual one./ This is the fear of being removed /displaced/ out of that same situation and that by /the operation/ so simple a cause as the negative circumstance /incident/ of the act being realized at the next Election, provided it be to a certain degree a speedily-recurring one.

    36 In the situation of an Elector acting as above upon the principle of virtually universal suffrage there will in like measure be as above the propensity mentioned above. To This propensity no such check stands opposed as stands opposed to the like propensity in the case of the Representative: because /for/ the Elector is under /subject to/ no apprehension of being displaced.
  • Title: [1818 Sept. 29. Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Sept. 29.

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    Reasons 3 o

    '.2. Electors Who

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    {14}

    18

    {28 No human breast has there ever been in which at times[?] sympathetic affection in some degree has not had place: no human breast in which taking the whole of life together, self-regarding affection has not been predominant. For a time under some particular excitation in this or that human breast sympathetic affection has to such a degree been predominant as to have produced sacrifice of self-regarding interest in the shape of sacrifice of life. But the nearer to self the objects, and the less the number of them, the greater the intensity of them: as the objects become distinct and more and more numerous, as the field in which they are included becomes wider and wider, the intensity of the affection dominates, till at last in all but a very few the affection has no resistance but in name.}

    Of this universal and immutable /unchangeable/ predominance, note the equally unchangeable consequences in regard to forms of government.

    In the situation of Monarch there will be a constant and constantly predominant propensity, propensity and endeavour to sacrifice to self-regarding interest, and to social interest upon the largest scale, that is to say universal interest.

    2. In the situation of member of an aristocratical governing body there will in like manner be on /in/ the part /breast/ of every member a constant and constantly predominant propensity to sacrifice to the self-regarding interest of the individual, and thence to the collective interest of the whole body social interest on the largest scale.

    3. In the situation of Member of a Democratical assembly of Representatives chosen and seated upon the principle of virtually universal suffrage there will in like manner be on the part /breast/ of every Member a propensity to sacrifice to the self regarding interest of the individual and thence to the collective interest of the Assembly whole body social interest on the largest scale.