Metaphysicians and politicians may dispute forever, but they will never find any other moral principle or foundation of rule or obedience, than the consent of governors and governed.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Legitimacy of rule comes from the consent of both rulers and the ruled, not from abstract metaphysics.
- In plain terms
- Rule is legit when both rulers and people consent.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek mutual consent in governance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How to ensure genuine consent?
- What safeguards prevent token consent?
Another view
Consent can be coerced or superficial.
More from John Adams
A government of laws, and not of men.
Permalink to quote #6 A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
Permalink to quote #8 Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.
Permalink to quote #5
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