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Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not a member of Bristol, but he is a member of parliament.

Edmund Burke#9

GovernanceRepresentationParliament

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Parliament should represent the national interest rather than local factions. Representatives must act for the whole country once elected.
In plain terms
Elected officials should work for the entire nation, not just their local area.
What can you take from it?
Representatives must prioritize the common good over local interests.

Where it applies

  • legislative debates
  • election mandates
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • evaluate representatives by national impact
  • discourage local favoritism

Questions to consider

  • How should a representative balance local needs with national good?

Another view

Local interests often reflect real concerns that cannot be ignored.

More from Edmund Burke

  1. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

    Permalink to quote #8

  2. People crushed by law, have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws; and those who have much to hope and nothing to lo…

    Permalink to quote #10

  3. I take toleration to be a part of religion. I do not know which I would sacrifice; I would keep them both: it is not necessary that I should sacrifice either.

    Permalink to quote #7

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