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Full Idea
In order to stop ...the dangerous innovations that finally ruined Athens, no one would have the power to propose new laws according to his fancy; this right belongs exclusively to the magistrates.
Clarification
'Magistrates' administer the government
Gist of Idea
In a direct democracy, only the leaders should be able to propose new laws
Source
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Discourse on the Origin of Inequality [1754], Intro letter)
Book Ref
Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.28
A Reaction
Aristotle says (somewhere!) that control of the agenda for meetings is the key issue in democracies. I assume any citizen can propose a law, but only a magistrate can put it on the agenda. Maybe a separate 'citizen's committee' could filter suggestions.
| 141 | A good citizen won't be passive, but will redirect the needs of the state [Plato] |
| 19920 | Democracy is a legitimate gathering of people who do whatever they can do [Spinoza] |
| 19967 | In a democracy the people should manage themselves, and only delegate what they can't do [Montesquieu] |
| 19966 | A democratic assembly must have a fixed number, to see whether everyone has spoken [Montesquieu] |
| 19749 | In a direct democracy, only the leaders should be able to propose new laws [Rousseau] |
| 20505 | Direct democracy is inexperience judging experience, and ignorance judging knowledge [Mill] |
| 21528 | Groups should be autonomous, with a neutral authority as arbitrator [Russell] |
| 20094 | You don't really govern people if you don't involve them [Reybrouck] |
| 20560 | Teledemocracy omits debate and deliberation, which are important parts of good decisions [Swift] |