Rotten boroughs show that custom-based representation becomes absurd over time

Evidence

Things of this world are in so constant a flux, that nothing remains long in the same state. Thus people, riches, trade, power, change their stations, flourishing mighty cities come to ruin, and prove in times neglected desolate corners, whilst other unfrequented places grow into populous countries, filled with wealth and inhabitants. But things not always changing equally, and private interest often keeping up customs and privileges, when the reasons of them are ceased, it often comes to pass, that in governments, where part of the legislative consists of representatives chosen by the people, that in tract of time this representation becomes very unequal and disproportionate to the reasons it was at first established upon. To what gross absurdities the following of custom, when reason has left it, may lead, we may be satisfied, when we see the bare name of a town, of which there remains not so much as the ruins, where scarce so much housing as a sheepcote, or more inhabitants than a shepherd is to be found, sends as many representatives to the grand assembly of law-makers, as a whole county numerous in people, and powerful in riches. — John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, 194

Categorization

• SEED: A pre-Reform-Bill Locke diagnosing rotten boroughs offers a fresh angle on why originalist fidelity to founding maps fails as circumstances shift.
• XREF: Locke here anticipates the whole rotten-borough / malapportionment jurisprudence (Baker v. Carr, one person one vote). — connects to: State practice confirms that no one is born a subject of any government. — John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, 142; Representation makes the new appear predetermined and therefore old; Easily copied symbolic markers lose their credibility and die out. — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 366 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Representation makes the new appear predetermined and therefore old #expands (0.75)
• Easily copied symbolic markers lose their credibility and die out. #epitomizes (0.72) — Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Business of…, 366
• Imported political ideologies get locally transformed in ways that defeat their ideals #epitomizes (0.72)