It is a truth widely recognized that tyranny stems from…

Our Declaration of Independence declares that democracies derive their power from the 'consent of the governed.' But this democracy will fail if only some…

— Jonathan Capehart

“governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of…

— Declaration of Independence

“above all, Locke’s transforming idea that government was established and maintained by the consent of the governed, in which all men had an equal…

— James MacGregor Burns

Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.

— John McDonnell

“The authority of government, even such as I am willing to submit to— for I will cheerfully obey those who know and can do…

— Henry David Thoreau

Even government by the consent of the governed, as in our own Constitution, must be limited in its power to act against its people;…

— Robert Kennedy

Government itself is founded upon the great doctrine of the consent of the governed, and has its cornerstone in the memorable principle that men…

— Leland Stanford

Two hundred years ago, our Founding Fathers gave us a democracy. It was based upon the simple, yet noble, idea that government derives its…

— Paul Tsongas

"All men are created equal." "Government by consent of the governed." "Give me liberty or give me death." And those are not just clever…

— Lyndon B. Johnson

Governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will…

— Jefferson Davis

The consent of the governed" is more than a safeguard against ignorant tyrants: it is an insurance against benevolent despots as well.

— Walter Lippmann

Even the most despotic government cannot stand except for the consent of the governed… Immediately the subject ceases to fear the despotic force, his…

— Mahatma Gandhi

The public needs to know the kinds of things a government does in its name, or the 'consent of the governed' is meaningless... The…

— Edward Snowden

“Fortunately, there was government by consent of the governed in America—but just as unfortunately, such governments dearly hate to admit a mistake.”

— T. R. Fehrenbach

“My country again! Mr. Wilson, you have a country; but what country have I, or any one like me, born of slave mothers? What…

— Harriet Beecher Stowe