Читать книгу History of the Origin of Representative Government in Europe - Guizot François - Страница 96

The introduction of an elective, that is, a moveable element, into government, is as necessary as a division of forces to prevent the sovereignty from degenerating in the hands of those who exercise it into a full and permanent sovereignty of inherent right. It is therefore the necessary result of a representative government, and one of its principal characteristics. Accordingly we see that actual governments which have aimed at becoming absolute, have always endeavoured to destroy the elective principle. Venice gave a memorable illustration of this tendency, when, in 1319, it conferred an hereditary right on the grand council. [Footnote 11]

[Footnote 11: This event is clearly and minutely related by Daru, in his "Histoire de Venise" (Vol. i. pp. 449-464.)]

In the first age of governments, at the same time that we see power come from, above, that is to say, acquire for itself by its superiority, of whatever kind that may be, either ability, riches, or courage,—we see it also obliged to make its title recognised by those who can judge it. Election is the mode of this recognition,—it is to be found in the infancy of all governments; but it is generally abolished after a time. It is when it reappears with sufficient energy to influence powerfully the administration of society, that a representative government is rising into being.

Theoretically, publicity is perhaps the most essential characteristic of a representative government. We have seen that it has for its object to call upon all individuals who possess rights, as well as those who exercise powers, to seek reason and justice, the source and rule of legitimate sovereignty. In publicity consists the bond between a society and its government. Looking, however, at facts, we find that of the elements essential to a representative government, this is the last which is introduced and gains a firm footing. Its history is analogous to that of the elective principle. The Champs de Mars and Mai were held in the open air: many persons were present at them who took no part in the deliberation. The assembly of the Lombards at Pavia took place circumstante immensâ multitudine. It is probable that the same publicity attended also the Wittenagemot of the Saxons.