Full Idea
The paradox of democracy (emphasised by Rousseau) is that I am compelled by my belief in democracy to embrace conflicting - perhaps even contradictory - opinions. If I believe A, and the majority vote for B, I am committed to enacting them both.
Gist of Idea
Democrats are committed to a belief and to its opposite, if the majority prefer the latter
Source
Roger Scruton (A Dictionary of Political Thought [1982], 'paradox of democracy')
Book Reference
Scruton,Roger: 'A Dictionary of Political Thought' [Pan 1983], p.341
A Reaction
The paradox would have to be resolved by qualifying what exactly one is committed to by being a democrat. I would say I am committed to the right of my opponents to enact a policy with which I disagree.