Full Idea
For liberal theory, it is the individual to be governed, not the governor, who is the starting point.
Gist of Idea
Liberal theory starts from the governed, not from the governor
Source
Todd May (Gilles Deleuze [2006], 4.02)
Book Reference
May,Todd: 'Gilles Deleuze' [CUP 2006], p.118
A Reaction
I'm inclined to see this as the single-handed achievement of Thomas Hobbes, who starts from the need of citizens to secure their contracts. Plato's society starts from entrepreneurs, but their need for a ruler seems a priori.