… is from page 7 of volume III (“The Political Order of a Free People,” 1979) of Hayek’s Law, Legislation, and Liberty:
Civilization largely rests on the fact that the individuals have learnt to restrain their desires for particular objects and to submit to generally recognized rules of just conduct. Majorities, however, have not yet been civilized in this manner because they do not have to obey rules. What would we not all do if we were genuinely convinced that our desire for a particular action proves that it is just? The result is not different if people are persuaded that the agreement of the majority on the advantage of a particular measure proves that it is just. When people are taught to believe that what they agree is necessarily just, they will indeed soon cease to ask if it is so. Yet the belief that all on which a majority can agree is by definition just has for several generations been impressed upon popular opinion.
In short, majoritarian government brings out the kid in all of us.
