1820 Feb. 20

Radicalism not dangerous

III Experience

II Ireland.

Radicalism - its origin

10

4

1

Applied to a form of government, {or to other objects,} the epithets good and bad are terms of reference: they are employable and continually employed in each of two senses which in pace[?] of continual misconception and correspondent misconduct require to be carefully distinguished. These two senses correspond to /are determined by/ the objects which on such an occasion may be in view: these objects are in the first place, that which is or ought to be the end of government the greatest happiness of the greatest number; in the next place other forms of government considered as means which are or ought to be employed and directed to that same end. According as the one or the other of these so perfectly distinct objects is the object referred to, these two terms opposite as they are in form, may with perfect truth and equally perfect sincerity be applied to the same subject, and even with reference to the same time.

The English Constitution {I say} is bad. With reference to what is it bad? Answer With reference to the only true and proper end /In respect of the end/ of government. This same constitution is at the same time good. With reference to what constitution? Answer with reference to all other constitutions which have no democracy in them, and all constitutions which have no democracy in their mixture. Well then where Constitutions are the object of reference, is it good in every instance? Oh no: it is not good but bad, with reference to such constitutions which are purely democratical: such constitutions as have neither Monarchy nor Aristocracy in their mixture: It is bad with reference to that which itself might be and would be if it had more of democracy in its mixture: it is bad in proportion to that quantity /those forms/ of power in it which belongs /belong/ to Monarchy or /and those which belong to/ Aristocracy while in democracy they have no place. In a word in respect of and in proportion to the sum of those parts by which it is distinguished from pure democracy meaning always representative democracy: being the only form of democracy which on a scale susceptible of permanency is susceptible of influence.