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Single Idea 19968
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation
]
Full Idea
A democratic people may be said to have ministers only when these have been named by the people itself. Thus it is a maxim fundamental to this type of government that the people must name its ministers.
Gist of Idea
It is basic to a democracy that the people themselves must name their ministers
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 02.02)
Book Ref
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.116
A Reaction
In the UK we don't do this. We elect local representatives, usually of a preferred party, and then they chose the ministers, and even the leader. The people who run our country are a long way from direct democracy.
The
23 ideas
with the same theme
[government's consultation, by plebiscite or election]:
1566
|
The first priority in elections is to vote for people who support democracy
[Anon (Diss)]
|
19965
|
The fundamental laws of a democracy decide who can vote
[Montesquieu]
|
19968
|
It is basic to a democracy that the people themselves must name their ministers
[Montesquieu]
|
19969
|
Voting should be public, so the lower classes can be influenced by the example of notable people
[Montesquieu]
|
19999
|
All citizens (apart from the very humble poor) should choose their representatives
[Montesquieu]
|
19748
|
Plebiscites are bad, because they exclude the leaders from crucial decisions
[Rousseau]
|
7243
|
Silence of the people implies their consent
[Rousseau]
|
19832
|
Democratic elections are dangerous intervals in government
[Rousseau]
|
22800
|
Majority rule means obligations can be imposed on me
[Hegel]
|
21792
|
The state should reflect all interests, and not just popular will, or a popular party
[Hegel, by Houlgate]
|
20508
|
How people vote should be on public record, so they can be held accountable
[Mill, by Wolff,J]
|
20507
|
Voting is a strict duty, like jury service, and must only be aimed at the public good
[Mill]
|
22678
|
An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis
[Tocqueville]
|
14846
|
If we want the good life for the greatest number, we must let them decide on the good life
[Nietzsche]
|
20498
|
We should decide whether voting is for self-interests, or for the common good
[Wolff,J]
|
20499
|
Condorcet proved that sensible voting leads to an emphatically right answer
[Wolff,J]
|
20979
|
Democracy needs more than some institutions; diverse sections of the people must be heard
[Sen]
|
20999
|
Democracy as 'government by discussion' now has wide support
[Sen]
|
20095
|
A referendum result arises largely from ignorance
[Reybrouck]
|
20609
|
If several losing groups would win if they combine, a runoff seems called for
[Tuckness/Wolf]
|
20605
|
Rights as interests (unlike rights as autonomy) supports mandatory voting
[Tuckness/Wolf]
|
20599
|
How should democratic votes be aggregated? Can some person's votes count for more?
[Tuckness/Wolf]
|
20601
|
Discussion before voting should be an essential part of democracy
[Tuckness/Wolf]
|