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Full Idea
Democracy is properly defined as a united gathering of people which collectively has the sovereign right to do all that it has the power to do.
Gist of Idea
Democracy is a legitimate gathering of people who do whatever they can do
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.08)
Book Ref
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.200
A Reaction
Representative democracy doesn't fit this definition. What 'unites' the people, and where do they get their sovereign right? If my neighbouring village votes to invade mine, I spurn their pathetic 'sovereign right'.
| 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] |