tacit consent
Approval without words
Tacit consent is agreement expressed not through explicit words but through silence, inaction, or acceptance of benefits.
In political philosophy, it describes how citizens implicitly agree to be governed by living under a state's authority: By remaining in the country, you give tacit consent to its laws.
The concept is contested—critics argue that mere presence or failure to object doesn't constitute genuine agreement.
- unspoken rulesExpectations understood without statement
- silent agreementConsent conveyed without words
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- going alongMoving with others
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
nod of approval · estoppel · social contract · implied agreement · gentleman's agreement · honor system · implied contract · handshake deal · shared values · conformity · opt-out · no objection · collective behavior · Locke · governance · precedent · moral obligation · binding agreement
- social codessocial norms, social norm, unwritten rule, unspoken rule, unspoken rules
- unwritten agreementshandshake deal, verbal contract, oral agreement, gentleman's agreement, unwritten rule
- Social Contractsocial contract, state of nature, natural rights, legitimate authority, Hobbes
- power of attorneypower of attorney, agent, principal, attorney-in-fact, proxy
tacit consentexplicit consent
Clearly stated agreement
express consent · verbal consent · informed consent · oral agreement · formal agreement
tacit consentactive resistance
Deliberate obstruction or struggle
vocal opposition · withdrawal of consent · protest · dissent · non-consent