Electoral sociability [ Politics & Society ]
… as debauched bouts of drunkenness. In 1696 a disgusted John Evelyn expressed dismay at the ‘confus’d, debauch’d and riotous manner of electing members’ in which men were forced ‘to bribe the votes of a drunken multitude, more resembling … violence and party rage, and often with bloodshed’. 13 Some thought elections had led to a degradation of culture: ‘riots, tumults, mutual abuses, odious nick-names, personal affronts are kept alive and warm from three year to three …
Corruption | Elections | Impoliteness | Politeness | Politics | Print culture | Violence
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