Consent of the governed Quote by James MacGregor Burns
““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 voice. “Who shall be Judge whether the Prince or Legislative act contrary to their Trust?” he had asked,””
About This Quote
Source Book: Leadership, 1991
Burns emphasizes that government legitimacy rests on the governed's consent and equal voice
In simple terms: Governance needs consent and equal voice
Key Takeaway
Ensure participatory governance
Themes
democracy
participation
legitimacy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- elections
- public consultations
- policy debates
- civic education
Key Concepts
Social contract
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How to increase citizen engagement?
- What mechanisms ensure equal voice?
A Different Perspective
Consent can be undermined by apathy
