Liberalism · Theme
Democracy and Popular Sovereignty
How Liberalism develops Democracy and Popular Sovereignty.
Examines the role of democratic governance and popular sovereignty in securing liberty, while also acknowledging potential tensions between majority rule and individual rights, and the need for responsible self-government.
Where it surfaces
- I: Before Liberalism
Examines the Greek city-state as a community of free men who governed themselves, and the Roman extension of citizenship that ultimately undermined self-government.
- II: Fiscal Liberty
The demand for 'no taxation without representation' ties fiscal liberty directly to democratic governance.
- Political Liberty and Popular Sovereignty
The chapter centrally explores the theory and limits of popular sovereignty as a means to secure liberty.
- The Movement of Theory
Discusses the doctrine of popular sovereignty, the nation as a collective unit versus individual right to participate, and the potential conflict between the will of the nation and individual rights.
- The Future of Liberalism
The chapter extensively discusses the nature of democracy, its reliance on common will, and the challenge of majority rule versus universal consent.
- Endnotes
Examines legislative control, referendums, and the role of a Second Chamber, touching on democratic governance and popular sovereignty.