Speaking for the people: a conservative narrative of democracy

Norton, Philip

Abstract

A Conservative accepts that democracy entails government by and (especially) for the people, but what constitutes the people is seen not in narrow but in expansive terms: the people are not confined to those who constitute a present transient majority but encompass rather past and future generations. Democracy is tempered by the need to avoid dictatorship of the masses, entrusting the task of governing to those chosen by the people and able to lead in interests of the people. Government entails a balance between accountability and autonomy, a balance delivered by the Westminster system of government, a system challenged by attempts at fundamental constitutional change

Citation

Norton, P. (2012). Speaking for the people: a conservative narrative of democracy. Policy studies : the journal of the Policy Studies Institute, 33(2), 121-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/01442872.2011.637328

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 18, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Feb 9, 2012
• Publication Date: 2012-03
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: Policy Studies
• Print ISSN: 0144-2872
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-1006
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 121-132
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01442872.2011.637328
• Keywords: Political Science and International Relations
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/464902