近代デモクラシーと共和制の成立(下)-2

In 1648 the Levellers continued to press for removal of King Charles I and the implementation of their social and political reforms. In the autumn of that year they held the balance between the manoeuvring parties of king, Parliament (Presbyterians) and army grandees (Independents). For a time they collaborated with representatives of Parliament and the army in attempt to draw up a new \u27(Second) Agreement of the People\u27 on which all might agree. But with Pride\u27s Purge and the execution of Charles I the Levellers ceased to hold the balance. Their support in the New Model Army melted away then the new government paid off soldiers\u27 arrers and raised their pay. In 1649 the Levellers leaders were imprisoned and their followers crushed by military force. But by then the Levellers had exerted an influence out of all proportion to their numbers; and they had pioneered methodes of agitation by petition, pamphlet, party organisation and public demonstration that were to have a long subsequent history. At this chapter, we have considered of the substance \u27AN AGREEMENT OF THE FREE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND\u27 (Third Agreement of the People, May 1st. 1649)