THE ELECTION OF PARLIAMENT 179

Its supporters claim, as a matter of principle, that educated
people understand Government better than others, and should
have more* power in choosing those who are to rule. This is very
debatable: all the people have to be governed and they all know
what it feels like; if a privileged group are given special powers
they will pay insufficient- attention to the grievances of the
unprivileged, which lie outside their own experience. Nor is the
possession of a University degree any proof of superior fitness
for choosing the Government. The graduate may have gone to
a University simply because his parents could afford to send
him, and there secured a Pass degree with a minimum of ability
or industry. Alternatively, he may be a brilliant scholar, but
acquainted only with one branch 'of knowledge and remote from
the life of the people; his claim to the extra vote may be answered,
appropriately enough, by the Greek proverb "Much learning
does not teach sense". Both these types are co^omon enough in
Universities. There is more to be said for the practical argument
that University constituencies permit the election of men and
women who combine academic brilliance with knowledge of the
world; who can make valuable contribution to Parliament's
work, but do not belong to any party and so would find election
elsewhere more difficult. Sir Arthur Salter, Member for Oxford
University and Miss Eleanor Rathbone, for the Combined
English Universities, can be quoted as .examples. For the most
part, however, University electors do not seek to return
members of this kind, but give their votes with quite as rigid an
adherence to party as anyone else. Many illustrious names—
Mr, Gladstone, John Stuart Mill, Professor Gilbert Murray-
can be found in the list of those rejected on party grounds by
University constituencies.

(2) Other critics daim that the present law gives too much
equality, and that the vote should be restricted to a group
distinguished .from the mass by wealth, aristocratic birth, or
education. The general argument concerning democracy must
be examined later; here it will be sufficient to note practical