The only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Legitimate authority comes only from the consent of the people being ruled.
- In plain terms
- Governments only have rightful power if the people agree to it.
- What can you take from it?
- Political power requires the consent of the governed.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How is consent measured in modern states?
- Can authority exist without popular approval?
Another view
Governments often claim authority without explicit consent.
More from William Henry Harrison
The chains of military despotism once fastened upon a nation, ages might pass away before they could be shaken off.
Permalink to quote #5 The people are the best guardians of their own rights and it is the duty of their executive to abstain from interfering in or thwarting the sacred exercise of …
Permalink to quote #7 The American backwoodsman -- clad in his hunting shirt, the product of his domestic industry, and fighting for the country he loves, he is more than a match fo…
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
The rational elites, obsessed by structure, have become increasingly authoritarian in a modern, administrative way. The citizens feel insulted and isolated. Th…
John Ralston SaulJohn Ralston Saul quote #12 The Government of the absolute majority instead of the Government of the people is but the Government of the strongest interests; and when not efficiently chec…
John C. CalhounJohn C. Calhoun quote #1 Ces deux moities de Dieu, le pape et l'empereur!
Victor HugoVictor Hugo quote #1