Full Idea
Every man that hath any possession or enjoyment of any part of the dominions of any government doth thereby give his tacit consent, and is as far forth obliged to obedience to the laws of that government, during such enjoyment.
Gist of Idea
Anyone who enjoys the benefits of a state has given tacit consent to be part of it
Source
John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 119)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.177
A Reaction
I wondered at the age of about 18 whether I had given tacit consent to be a British citizen. Locke says you only have to travel freely down the highways to give consent! We are all free, of course, to apply for citizenship elsewhere. But Idea 19894.
Related Idea
Idea 19894 You can only become an actual member of a commonwealth by an express promise [Locke]