Political Quotes

Lysander Spooner: The conclusion, therefore, is, that any government, that can, for a day, enforce its own laws, without appealing to the…

On the record
The conclusion, therefore, is, that any government, that can, for a day, enforce its own laws, without appealing to the people, (or to a tribunal fairly representing the people,) for their consent, is, in theory, an absolute government, irresponsible to the people, and can perpetuate its power at pleasure.
Said by
Lysander Spooner

Editor's note · Context

Spooner concludes that any government that can enforce laws without public consent is absolute and irresponsible.

Share

More from Lysander Spooner

It would be a solecism and absurdity in government to allow such consequences as these.

gutenberg.org

The presumption clearly is that all were eligible.

gutenberg.org

Why should they not have such an administration of justice as they desire, and can understand?

gutenberg.org

There is no more absurdity in giving a jury a veto upon the laws, than there is in giving a veto to each of these other tribunals.

gutenberg.org