more on this theme | more from this thinker
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 Ref
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.
| 7587 | The issue of abortion seems insoluble, because there is nothing with which to compare it [Scruton] |
| 7588 | Allegiance is fundamental to the conservative view of society [Scruton] |
| 7589 | Altruism is either emotional (where your interests are mine) or moral (where they are reasons for me) [Scruton] |
| 7590 | Consequentialism emphasises value rather than obligation in morality [Scruton] |
| 7592 | For positivists law is a matter of form, for naturalists it is a matter of content [Scruton] |
| 7593 | Liberals focus on universal human freedom, natural rights, and tolerance [Scruton, by PG] |
| 7594 | Democrats are committed to a belief and to its opposite, if the majority prefer the latter [Scruton] |
| 7595 | The idea of a right seems fairly basic; justice may be the disposition to accord rights to people [Scruton] |