more from Jonathan Wolff

Single Idea 20494

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract]

Full Idea

One thought is that consent to government is communicated via the ballot-box. In voting for the government we give it our consent.

Gist of Idea

Maybe voting in elections is a grant of legitimacy to the winners

Source

Jonathan Wolff (An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) [2006], 2 'Voluntaristic')

Book Reference

Wolff,Jonathan: 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev)' [OUP 2006], p.41


A Reaction

Hm. This may be a strong positive reason why some people refuse to vote. We shouldn't load voting with such heavy commitments. It's just 'given the current situation, who will be temporarily in charge'.