The Right Bon. James Bryce. M.P., gave the third of the Godkin lectures last evening in Sanders Theatre on "The Study of Popular Governments."
Institutions, Mr. Bryce said, are meant to work for a particular people at a particular time. Not only is there a permanent element in political history to be dealt wit--human nature; there are also other elements which, however, are either local or over changing--environment, the stage of civilization, the state of communication, social classes, racial character, historical antecedents and traditions, religion, and the varying necessity for militarism.
The essentials of a free government are a highly intelligent and watchful people, a system for making the government truly representative of the popular will, honest elections, adequate inducement to make capable men offer themselves for the government of the nation, and a method a fixing responsibility. To this should be added an honest and independent judiciary, an adequate system of checks and balances, a capable and upright civil service, and provisions for the stability of the government.
Mr. Bryce will give the fourth lecture of the series on Monday.
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