Originally posted by sonhouseI think it is revered more in the US than UK. Contrary to popular belief
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/
Called the most important document of democracy in the world.
it gave no liberties to the common man and had no lasting impact on
legislation. It was effectively a "deal" between the king and the Barons.
Originally posted by wolfgang59It did though mean the king was no longer above the law, but subject to it.
I think it is revered more in the US than UK. Contrary to popular belief
it gave no liberties to the common man and had no lasting impact on
legislation. It was effectively a "deal" between the king and the Barons.
Originally posted by Ghost of a DukeWhat it really meant was that the robber barons themselves were not subject to the law, and could abuse the population as much as they liked without the king being able to do his proper feodal job of keeping them in check and defending the lower classes against the higher ones. (Whether he ever did is another matter; but since the Magna Charta he isn't even allowed to.)
It did though mean the king was no longer above the law, but subject to it.
And as is clearly visible every time there is an election in the UK, a) this situation continues to this day, albeit with the Bullingdon-clubbers having replaced actual barons; and b) the British voters like it this way and get indignant if you suggest that this state might not be the best for them.
Originally posted by Shallow BlueBullingdon-clubbers? Like professional bullies?
What it really meant was that the robber barons themselves were not subject to the law, and could abuse the population as much as they liked without the king being able to do his proper feodal job of keeping them in check and defending the lower classes against the higher ones. (Whether he ever did is another matter; but since the Magna Charta he ...[text shortened]... ike it this way and get indignant if you suggest that this state might not be the best for them.