14 Jan y 1817

Necessity Cat

1 Theory

4. Probity how securable

19

Q. 21. Good, for the interest of the greatest number. But as to the universal interest I do not see at this moment how by a democracy, even supposing all the other elements perfect it can be to effectually provided for: for when you have encreased the number of the sharers in the power in question all they have become the majority of the whole number of of the members of the community, still in so far as depends upon their endeavours they will in your view of the matter sacrifice to their practical interest the interest of the remaining members {of the community} would they not?

A. If it were so better the interest of the minority should be sacrificed to the interest of the majority than the interest of the majority to that of the minority. It is no objection against an arrangement of any kind to say that it is unable to effect what in the nature of things is impossible.

But examine into the case a little more clearly and you will find, that when the sharers are in such numbers , howsoever it may happen that by the votes on this or that occasion differences[?] of opinion in regard to interest are manifested, interests are in the main the same: that so clearly connected and interwoven are all interests that as to all great points all large /external/ portions of the field of legislation, the interests of the majority can not be provided for /advanced/ but the interests of the rest are advanced at the same time.

Ex. gr. exemption from arbitrary government[?] excessive taxation denial of justice &c.