voice of the people
Collective citizen sentiment
Voice of the people refers to the collective opinion or will of ordinary citizens, especially as a political force.
The phrase often appears in discussions of democracy, where legitimate authority supposedly flows from popular consent: The voice of the people must be heard.
It can be invoked earnestly or skeptically—some treat it as sacred, others note that "the people" rarely speak with one voice.
- protestsPublic expressions of opposition
- folk songsInherited communal music
- votingFormally registering a choice
- ballot boxContainer for cast votes
- referendumDirect vote on legislation
newspapers · rallies · elected officials · radio broadcasts · storytelling traditions · oral histories · petition · open mic · free press · vox populi · parliamentary debates · marches · grassroots organizing · common man · silent majority · civil disobedience · public forums · street protests
voice of the peopledivine right of kings
Monarchs rule by celestial mandate
royal edict · royal decree · autocratic rule · tyranny · oligarchy
voice of the peopleone-man rule
Absolute individual governance
absolute power · martial law · state propaganda · censorship · disenfranchisement
voice of the peoplespecial interests
Groups seeking policy influence
corporate interests · vested interests · landed gentry · backroom deals · the one percent
voice, voices, voiced, voicing, voiceless, vocalize, vocation, advocate, people