'will of the people' according to John Stuart Mill

“The will of the people, moreover, practically means the will of the most numerous or the most active part of the people; the majority, or those who succeed in making themselves accepted as the majority; type people, consequently, may desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this as against any other abuse of power.”

John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

the insularization of england

One of the themes in this debate was precisely the relationship between England and the Continent, between England and France, as well as, on a more symbolic level, between England and Italy. The rejection of quantitive verse based on Greek and Latin models in favour of rhyme led to a declaration of intellectual independence from the continent. “Barbarous” became a positive word, a sign of pride. … 

What one might call the insularization of England was however a process, not an event, a long process involving self-reflection that took place on many levels. As I have tried to show the defence of rhyme played a minor but distinctive role in it.

from No Island is an Island, Carlo Ginzburg