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Full Idea
When we assert that all lawful government arises from the consent of the people, we certainly do them a great deal more honour than they deserve, or even expect or desire from us.
Gist of Idea
The people would be amazed to learn that government arises from their consent
Source
David Hume (Of the original contract [1741], p.285)
Book Ref
Hume,David: 'Selected Essays' [OUP 1996], p.285
A Reaction
Hume has no interest in the purely abstract idea of a contract, and scorns Locke's idea of tacit consent to government. I assume he would dismiss Rawls as unrealistic theorising. Hume loves peace, and is alarmed by change.
| 21099 | People must have agreed to authority, because they are naturally equal, prior to education [Hume] |
| 21100 | The idea that society rests on consent or promises undermines obedience [Hume] |
| 20495 | We no more give 'tacit assent' to the state than a passenger carried on board a ship while asleep [Hume] |
| 6703 | Poor people lack the knowledge or wealth to move to a different state [Hume] |
| 21101 | The people would be amazed to learn that government arises from their consent [Hume] |
| 21102 | We all know that the history of property is founded on injustices [Hume] |
| 21103 | Moral questions can only be decided by common opinion [Hume] |