In democratic theory, the phrase "consent of the people" generally means the approval or agreement of which section of the population?

Introduction / Context:
This question is rooted in basic political theory and the idea of popular sovereignty. In a democracy, governments are said to derive their authority from the consent of the governed. However, in practical terms, it is not possible to obtain the explicit approval of every single individual on every decision. The phrase consent of the people is therefore interpreted through mechanisms such as elections and majority rule. Understanding that this phrase implies the will of the majority rather than unanimity is essential for correctly interpreting democratic principles.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase being interpreted is consent of the people.
• Options include all the people, majority of the people, leader of the people, a few people, and only elected representatives.
• We assume a standard textbook understanding of democratic consent, elections and majority rule.

Concept / Approach:
In democratic practice, laws and governments are considered legitimate when they are supported by the will of the majority expressed through free and fair elections or representative institutions. While minority rights are protected, decision making generally follows the principle of majority rule. It is impossible to satisfy every individual on every issue, so the idea of consent of the people is operationalised as the consent of a majority, subject to constitutional limits that safeguard fundamental rights and minority interests.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recognise that the phrase comes from democratic theory, where political authority must be justified by popular support. 2. Understand that it is practically impossible to secure the agreement of every single citizen on every policy. 3. In elections and legislative votes, decisions are normally taken based on majority rule among those who participate. 4. Therefore, consent of the people is interpreted as consent of the majority of the people, while still respecting minority rights. 5. Hence, the correct answer is majority of the people.

Verification / Alternative check:
Political science textbooks often define democracy as government by the people, usually through representatives chosen by the majority. They emphasise that while unanimity is ideal, majority consent is the practical standard. Electoral systems, referendums and legislative voting procedures all rely on majority decisions. This consistent pattern confirms that consent of the people essentially means consent of the majority, not of every individual or of a small elite.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• All the people: Unanimous consent is extremely rare and not required for normal democratic decision making.
• Leader of the people: Democracy is based on the will of the people, not just the preference of a single leader.
• A few influential people: That would describe oligarchy or rule by an elite, not genuine popular consent.
• Only elected representatives: Representatives act on behalf of the people, but their legitimacy comes from majority support of voters, not from their own consent alone.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates misread the phrase and assume that because democracy is supposed to be by all the people, consent must be literally unanimous. Others are distracted by the idea that leaders or representatives alone give consent. To avoid such confusion, always connect abstract phrases like consent of the people back to their practical expression through elections and majority rule. This will guide you to majority of the people as the correct interpretation in most basic theory questions.

Final Answer:
In democratic practice, consent of the people is understood as the consent of the majority of the people.