Single Idea 23103

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 1. Social Power]

Full Idea

Universal adult suffrage and representative government are intended to give everyone equal initial political power, and assure that delegation is the only legitimate means to acquiring greater power.

Gist of Idea

Power is meant to be confined to representatives, and subsequent delegation

Source

John Kekes (Against Liberalism [1997], 05.1)

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.91


A Reaction

The delegation bit is where it all goes wrong. Once you've packed your representative off to the capital, you lose nearly all control over what sort of delegation happens next. It is hard to trust representatives voters have barely met.