English Constitution and Milton

Name: English Constitution and Milton
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The work critiques the historical and theoretical foundations of the English constitution, questioning the existence of the system described by Blackstone. It argues that the interplay of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy is complex and cannot be simplified into distinct categories. The author emphasizes that true democracy exists in localized forms, such as corporations and joint-stock companies, rather than in a centralized government. The text highlights the tension between increasing democratic participation and the diminishing power of the executive branch, suggesting that a balance is necessary to maintain national cohesion. It critiques the notion that a government can be purely aristocratic, devoid of emotional and human elements, positing that such a system would lack the necessary connection to the populace, rendering it ineffective. The author reflects on the historical figures of Milton and Sidney, noting their misguided belief in the possibility of a rational, passionless governance. The argument is that a government must resonate with the people it serves to be robust and effective. The work ultimately calls for a nuanced understanding of governance that recognizes the interdependence of its various elements.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1830 · Genre: Political Philosophy, Literary Criticism, History · 536 words

First lines

Professor Park talks[1] about its being very _doubtful_ whether the constitution described by Blackstone ever in fact existed. In the same manner, I suppose, it is doubtful whether the moon is made of green cheese, or whether the souls of Welchmen do, in point of fact, go to heaven on the backs of mites. Blackstone's was the age of shallow law. Monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, as _such_, exclude each the other: but if the elements are to interpenetrate, how absurd to call a lump of sugar hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon! nay, to take three lumps, and call the first hydrogen; the second, oxygen; and the third, carbon! Don't you see that each is in all, and all in each?

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English Constitution and Milton is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1830 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1830 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political Philosophy, Literary Criticism, History, Essay, Sociopolitical Commentary
Length: 536 words
Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Political Philosophy — The book discusses the nature of government, democracy, and the interplay of different political systems, reflecting on the philosophical underpinnings of the English Constitution.
Literary Criticism — Coleridge analyzes the works of Milton and others, providing insights into their contributions to political thought and literature.
History — The text examines historical perspectives on the English Constitution and its evolution, particularly in relation to democracy and governance.
Essay — The work is structured as a series of essays that explore complex ideas in a reflective and analytical manner.