If you think about it, 51% vs. 49% is not a consensus of the people. It is a division of the people. It does not get much more divided than 51 vs. 49.
51% vs 49% is no different than 1 person bullying and pushing another person around.
66% vs. 34% is no different than 2 people bullying and pushing 1 person around.
We use majority rule to select representatives, and then those representatives can use majority rule to decide which services, or products to OFFER the people, but never to force the services, programs, or products onto the people.
Majority rule is NEVER justification for forcing people to use, pay for, or support a government service, or product. Individuals should have the individual liberty and individual free agency to decide whether or not they want to use or support a government service or product.
Yeah, I've read Hayek too, but what you're describing is wishful thinking. In a moral society this would be the norm. But unfortunately we don't live in that society. There are bad actors, opportunists, who'll say anything to get the majority on their side.
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