Consent
is
Conditional
Consent is not a one-time act. It is continuous, revocable and dependent on adherence to constitutional limits. When those limits are exceeded, the legitimacy of authority is compromised.This framework explains how consent is granted, what conditions sustain it and the constitutional basis for withdrawing consent when those conditions are breached.
Constitutional Consent
The constitution derives its authority from the consent of the governed. This principle is explicit in its founding and implicit throughout its structure: power is delegated by the people, limited by law, and conditional upon accountability.
Why Withdrawal Exists
Withdrawal of consent is not disorder; it is a stabilizing mechanism. It exists to prevent the normalization of illegitimate authority and to mark the boundary between voluntary participation and coercion.
When consent is withdrawn, citizens are not rejecting governance itself - they are rejecting governance that has exceeded its lawful limits. Withdrawal is how accountability is restored when other mechanisms fail.
The Broader Impact of Withdrawal
Withdrawing consent is not merely an individual refusal; it is a fundamental disruption of the mechanics of power. When the individual chooses to disengage from the framework of passive agreement, they assert the moral boundary that authority cannot cross. For the community, this acts as a catalyst for collective reflection, demanding a new social contract rooted in genuine accountability and shared civic responsibility.