Full Idea
In a democracy no one transfers their natural right to another in such a way that they are not thereafter consulted, but rather to the majority of the whole society of which they are part.
Gist of Idea
In democracy we don't abandon our rights, but transfer them to the majority of us
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.11)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.202
A Reaction
At this time democracy means Athenian direct democracy. In representative democracy you are only consulted once every few years, and in between the government can ignore the people (as Rousseau pointed out).
Related Idea
Idea 7251 The English are actually slaves in between elections [Rousseau]