Why Is Virtual Representation Important To The English

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Beginning in 1765, one principle the Americans believed was, “No taxation without representation.” The American colonial society rejected the right of the British Parliament to tax them without colonial representatives in the government. It did not matter what the motive of the tax was, it could not be enforced without the agreement of the colonists themselves. This argument about representation was not of huge significance to the English because according to their constitutional theory, members of Parliament did not represent individuals or particular geographical areas. Instead, each member represents the interests of the whole nation and empire. This belief of the English is called “virtual” representation. However, the Americans wanted