Single Idea 19887

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / a. Nature of democracy]

Full Idea

When any number of men have, by the consent of every individual, made a community, they have thereby made that community into one body, with a power to act as one body, which is only by the will and determination of the majority.

Gist of Idea

Unanimous consent makes a united community, which is then ruled by the majority

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 096)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.165


A Reaction

This seems to be presume democracy without discussion, although the formation of the community is by universal consent, which is the 'general will'. Rousseau has the constitution also made almost unanimously, not by a majority.