Catallaxy ® Institute - Classical Liberalism

Representative institutions are of little value, and may be a mere instrument of tyranny or intrigue, when the generality of electors are not sufficiently interested in their own government to give their vote, or, if they vote at all, do not bestow their suffrages on public grounds, but sell them for money, or vote at the beck of some one who has control over them, or whom for private reasons they desire to propitiate. (On representative government)

Mill, J.S.

On liberty and other essays

1998 , p. 210