The People Versus the People
We often hear exhortations that government officials should act on the “will of the people.” But since the citizens are not monolithic, which people should those officials be listening to?
As an example, in 2012 El Paso voters approved a bond referendum to build an entertainment center in downtown. But when more detailed plans became known, some residents complained. They want that particular area to be declared an historic district. Should government officials act on the will of the people who approved the bonds or the will of the people who want an historic district?
In truth, there is no such thing as the “will of the people.” Citizens do not speak with one voice, as any political issue reveals. When someone speaks of the “will of the people,” they really mean the majority (or the most vocal). They believe that if they can assemble enough like-minded people, then they represent all people.
As a result, one group–whether the majority or a very loud minority–seeks to impose its views on others. And that is precisely what is happening in El Paso.
The referendum authorizing the entertainment center passed by a vote of 101,657 to 40,198. Which means, more than 40,000 El Pasoans will be forced to pay for something that they did not want and did not approve of. And now, another group of El Pasoans wants to force its views on the entire city.
Some may argue that this is simply democracy in action. That is true–democracy means majority rule. Democracy means that the majority may do as it pleases simply because it is a democracy. But neither America nor Texas were established as democracies. Both were established as constitutional republics in which the powers of government were limited. The founders understood that a tyranny of the masses is just as despotic as King George III or Santa Anna. In a constitutional republic, individual rights are protected, no matter the desires or passions of the majority.
- If we want to end the constant battles between interest groups, we must reject the entire premise that the “will of the people” should reign supreme.