--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Democratic government requires the…" description: "\"Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.\" — John McDonnell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg" --- # Democratic government requires the consent of the governed. ![“Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.” quote by John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg) > “Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.” [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legitimacy of governance rests on the people's approval and participation. **In simple terms:** Government needs people's consent. Key Takeaway Engage citizens in decision‑making. Themes politics democracy citizen consent Mood serious hopeful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - voting - public forums - policy advocacy Key Concepts civic engagement social contract political theory accountability Questions to Reflect On - How can consent be meaningfully measured? - What mechanisms ensure accountable governance? A Different Perspective Consent can be superficial without true representation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) [Consent of the governed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent-of-the-governed/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democratic government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-government/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [What we seek is the reign of law, based upon the consent of the governed and sustained by the organized opinion of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/what-we-seek-is-the-reign-of-law-based-upon-the-consent-of-the/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/governments-are-instituted-among-men-deriving-their-just-powers-from-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The consent of the governed is not consent if it is not informed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/the-consent-of-the-governed-is-not-consent-if-it-is-not-informed/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Man is not made for the State but the State for man and it derives its just powers only from the consent of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-is-not-made-for-the-state-but-the-state-for-man-and-it-derives/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/above-all-locke-s-transforming-idea-that-government-was-established-2/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/for-in-reason-all-government-without-the-consent-of-the-governed-is/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/above-all-locke-s-transforming-idea-that-government-was-established/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [Government itself is founded upon the great doctrine of the consent of the governed, and has its cornerstone in the memorable principle that men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leland-stanford/government-itself-is-founded-upon-the-great-doctrine-of-the-consent/) [Leland Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tsongas/two-hundred-years-ago-our-founding-fathers-gave-us-a-democracy-it-was/) [Paul Tsongas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/all-men-are-created-equal-government-by-consent-of-the-governed-give/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-davis/governments-rest-on-the-consent-of-the-governed-and-that-it-is-the/) [Jefferson Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-davis/) > [The consent of the governed" is more than a safeguard against ignorant tyrants: it is an insurance against benevolent despots as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-consent-of-the-governed-is-more-than-a-safeguard-against-ignorant/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/even-the-most-despotic-government-cannot-stand-except-for-the-consent/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/the-public-needs-to-know-the-kinds-of-things-a-government-does-in-its/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-fehrenbach/fortunately-there-was-government-by-consent-of-the-governed-in/) [T. R. Fehrenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-fehrenbach/) ## More by John McDonnell > [Going to university is, and should be, so much more than a mechanical process of grinding out a degree qualification for a pre-determined career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/going-to-university-is-and-should-be-so-much-more-than-a-mechanical/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The arrogant view that young people don't count because they don't vote has thankfully been smashed for ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-arrogant-view-that-young-people-don-t-count-because-they-don-t/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Well organised displays of spontaneous support is one of the New Labour machine's specialities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/well-organised-displays-of-spontaneous-support-is-one-of-the-new/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Labour will only survive in government if we can restore the sense of mission upon which it was founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/labour-will-only-survive-in-government-if-we-can-restore-the-sense-of/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The spread of information technology and the long-term decline in the cost of computing power have created opportunities that simply did not exist before.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-spread-of-information-technology-and-the-long-term-decline-in-the/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [When I left school I went onto the shop floor, working 12-hour shifts in a TV factory. My workmates were sharp, skilled and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/when-i-left-school-i-went-onto-the-shop-floor-working-12-hour-shifts/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The New Labour political elite has long conspired to secure a so-called 'smooth transition' for Blair's successor. This would amount to little more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-new-labour-political-elite-has-long-conspired-to-secure-a-so/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [If the government is injecting public money, it should also take the right to oversee board appointments, executive pay, and future business operations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/if-the-government-is-injecting-public-money-it-should-also-take-the/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Only the political process offers the real prospect of a united Ireland at peace with itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/only-the-political-process-offers-the-real-prospect-of-a-united/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Producing more reams of detailed policies that have marginal and limited effects on our society is futile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/producing-more-reams-of-detailed-policies-that-have-marginal-and/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [There are some lines in the sand you just do not cross. Undermining basic civil liberties by locking people up for long periods without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/there-are-some-lines-in-the-sand-you-just-do-not-cross-undermining/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [Political rivalry is one thing but personal smear campaigns scrape the barrel of political infighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/political-rivalry-is-one-thing-but-personal-smear-campaigns-scrape/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [No cause is worth the loss of a child's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/no-cause-is-worth-the-loss-of-a-child-s-life/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [The illegal 2003 invasion had little to do with liberating Iraqis from Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. Instead, the real freedoms and benefits were destined to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/the-illegal-2003-invasion-had-little-to-do-with-liberating-iraqis/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) > [We want to be absolutely clear to the people what we are about. No backroom deals whatsoever and we're not going to be held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/we-want-to-be-absolutely-clear-to-the-people-what-we-are-about-no/) [John McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) [Explore all 100 John McDonnell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/) ## More Consent quotes > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [“When a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions, she is always predetermined to withstand it - to listen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/when-a-lady-does-consent-to-listen-to-an-argument-against-her-own/) [Anne Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [But a most pernicious error widely prevails that Scripture has only so much weight as is conceded to it by the consent of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/but-a-most-pernicious-error-widely-prevails-that-scripture-has-only/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Even if a civil society were to be dissolved by the consent of all its members (e.g., if a people inhabiting an island decided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/even-if-a-civil-society-were-to-be-dissolved-by-the-consent-of-all/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [We live in an age rather skeptical of truth, of its existence." There is a "tendency to believe that nothing is definitive, and think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/we-live-in-an-age-rather-skeptical-of-truth-of-its-existence-there-is/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Silence does not mean yes. No can be thought and felt but never said. It can be screamed silently on the inside. It can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-reed/silence-does-not-mean-yes-no-can-be-thought-and-felt-but-never-said/) [Amy Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-reed/) > [I can never consent to being dictated to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tyler/i-can-never-consent-to-being-dictated-to/) [John Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tyler/) > [When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common consent into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/when-all-moves-equally-says-pascal-nothing-seems-to-move-as-in-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [“There are some wounds unreachable by words, some sins immune to apology.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hatvany/there-are-some-wounds-unreachable-by-words-some-sins-immune-to-apology/) [Amy Hatvany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-hatvany/) > [Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/many-people-do-not-realize-that-where-unions-have-bargaining-rights/) [Charles E. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-wilson/) > [Fate does not seek our consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/fate-does-not-seek-our-consent/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [That is a list of the Territories that yielded to Ebon Askavi. They now stand within the shadow of the Keep. They are mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bishop/that-is-a-list-of-the-territories-that-yielded-to-ebon-askavi-they/) [Anne Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bishop/) [Browse all 676 Consent quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John McDonnell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/democratic-government-requires-the-consent-of-the-governed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Consent" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/democratic-government-requires-the-consent-of-the-governed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/john-mcdonnell-5730_consent_democratic-government-requires-the-conse_1253560.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Democratic government requires the consent of the governed.” — John McDonnell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John McDonnell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcdonnell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Democratic government requires the consent of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/democratic-government-requires-the-consent-of-the-governed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcdonnell/democratic-government-requires-the-consent-of-the-governed/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```