Politicians are often exhorted to follow the “will of the people”—to take those actions that are supported by a majority of citizens. This is a very dangerous idea because it can justify virtually any kind of injustice.
To illustrate this, consider a recent article in the Summit Daily in Colorado. The article states that “most Colorado voters think the state has an affordable housing problem and want the government to intervene to solve it, a recent poll shows.” The poll also found strong support for policies such as rent control and forcing developers to include more affordable housing in their projects.
We will leave aside the issue of whether a survey of 508 registered voters in a state of 5.8 million people truly reflects the views of all Coloradans. The relevant issue here is whether the views of the majority should be coercively imposed on the minority.
Let us assume for a moment, that the poll had asked about views regarding homosexuality. Let us also assume that the poll found that “most” Colorado voters support making homosexuality illegal and throwing offenders in jail. (And you can substitute any activity for homosexuality.) The fact that a majority of citizens support a policy doesn’t make it proper or just.
The “will of the people” means that the majority rules. It means that the majority can vote for policies that are grossly unjust. And such policies are “justified” because they represent the “will of the people.”
Truth is not determined by a vote. Might doesn’t make for good public policy nor does it make a particular policy right.
Those who participate in polls, including voting, are not necessarily qualified to comment on the issue at hand. For example, both tenants and landlords have experience with rental housing. But property owners, landlords, and developers have actual experience in producing housing and the challenges of doing so. Housing producers are far more qualified than tenants to comment on the appropriate way to address the affordable housing crisis.
However, there are far more tenants than landlords. And if we adhere to the “will of the people,” then tenants and their supporters can vote to impose controls and restrictions on landlords. But the fact that tenants might have political might doesn’t mean the policies they support are right.