<i>Regemque, quem in Francia pene perdidit, in patria magnifice recepit</i>: Ottonian ruler representation in synchronic and diachronic comparison
Timothy Reuter
For German-speakers, the word Repräsentation and its derivates have overtones absent from their relatives in Anglo-Saxon world. From private citizens invited by advertising to purchase representative items of consumption like furniture or kitchens, through federal state presidents, who dispose substantial budgets for Repräsentation, contemporary Germany is linguistically soaked with a notion representation implying display wealth, taste solidity appropriate one's rank society affirming that rank. Yet underlying this deeper sense must imply independent existence something be represented; it may well legitimate role own, but cannot sustained without real substance behind it, indeed any attempt ‘represent’ which was not there would met ridicule satire. A similar presupposition evident distinction between ‘dignified’ ‘efficient’ parts constitution, familiar English-speaking specialists political science since first formulated as daringly cynical observation on monarchy Walter Bagehot some 130 years ago.Though constitution (or social system) vital play functioning whole, they exist own an segment give them meaning. Medievalists also tend believe this.
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