in the very seat of

Question

What does the highlighted sentence want to say? it is about an https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Britain . I can not understand the roles of the nation, parliament, and the thing that should be enacted.

And what does "in the very seat of" mean?

More significantly, perhaps, State Britain’s ‘pale’ also brings into play issues around the democratic practices of a nation right in the very seat of the (ancient, founding) institution that supposedly would exist to enact them: parliament.

Clive · Accepted Answer

This is from a book called 'Art and the city'. It discusses art that relates to public protest. Lengthy details are here..Please read them.
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/mark-wallinger-state-britain

In short,, the British Parliament established an area (called 'a pale') around the Parliament buildings, and limited public demonstrations in this area..
Britain has democratic customs (ie practices) and Parliament is the home (seat) of these practices. Parliament is supposed to enact democratic laws. So it is ironic that Parliament would try to limit public demonstrations in an area around itself.

I think the above summary is correct. Perhaps someone who currently lives in Britain could add further comments.
Clive

Catttt · Answer

A few further questions:

1. Does "brings into play issues around" here mean "considers questions about" i.e. "questions"?

2. Does "in the very seat of" mean "exactly in the place of" i.e. "exactly in the parliament"?

Clive · Answer

1. Does "brings into play issues around" here mean "considers questions about" i.e. "questions"?
No. It means 'causes these issues to become relevant'.

2. Does "in the very seat of" mean "exactly in the place of" i.e. "exactly in the parliament"?

No. It means 'exactly in the home of Parliament'.

in the very seat of

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