Who wrote the book 'English Constitution'?
Bagehot.
Walter Bagehot (3 February 1826 – 24 March 1877) was an English journalist, businessman, and essayist, who wrote extensively about government, economics, literature and race. He is known for co-founding the National Review in 1855, and for his works The English Constitution and Lombard Street: A Description of the Money Market.
Bagehot was born in Langport, Somerset, England. He was educated at University College London, and he began his career as a journalist. He joined The Economist in 1857, and he became editor in 1860. He held this position until his death in 1877.
Bagehot's work on the British constitution is considered to be one of the most important contributions to the study of constitutionalism. In The English Constitution, he argued that the British constitution is based on the principle of "efficient secretiveness." This means that the constitution is not a set of rigid rules, but rather a system of conventions and understandings that allow the government to function effectively.
Bagehot's work on the money market is also considered to be a classic. In Lombard Street, he analyzed the workings of the London financial market, and he argued that the government should play a limited role in regulating the market.
Bagehot was a prolific writer, and his work covered a wide range of topics. He was a keen observer of the political and economic scene, and he was always willing to challenge conventional wisdom. His writing is clear, concise, and witty, and it continues to be read and admired by scholars and students today.
Here are some of Bagehot's most important contributions to political thought:
- The concept of "efficient secretiveness" in the British constitution: Bagehot argued that the British constitution is based on the principle of "efficient secretiveness," which means that the constitution is not a set of rigid rules, but rather a system of conventions and understandings that allow the government to function effectively.
- The idea of the "dignified" and "efficient" parts of the British constitution: Bagehot argued that the British constitution can be divided into two parts: the "dignified" part, which is the part that is visible to the public, and the "efficient" part, which is the part that actually runs the government.
- The concept of "central bank independence" in the money market: Bagehot argued that the government should not interfere in the money market, and that the central bank should be independent from the government.
Bagehot's work is still relevant today. His ideas about the British constitution, the money market, and central bank independence are still debated and discussed by scholars and policymakers.
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