Albert Weale is Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy at University College London and Fellow of the British Academy.

"An accessible and incisive critique of populism and referenda by a true democrat. The Will of the People is a magisterial contribution of academic political theory to our troubled and confused public debate. Essential reading."—Cécile Laborde, University of Oxford"In this lucid and engaging essay, Albert Weale enlists insights of modern political analysis to enlighten public debate. He cogently shows that the manipulative ideal of a singular 'will of the people' is both fallacious and antithetical to fundamental values of democratic politics."—Jack Nagel, University of Pennsylvania

• Acknowledgements viPreface viii1 In the Grip of a Myth 12 Nostalgic Myths 153 What is a People? 304 Majority Willing? 465 The Mythical Sovereign 676 On Being Outnumbered 81 7 Democracy without Myth 958 The Ethics of Responsibility 112Notes and Sources 117

Albert Weale is Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy at University College London and Fellow of the British Academy.

"An accessible and incisive critique of populism and referenda by a true democrat. The Will of the People is a magisterial contribution of academic political theory to our troubled and confused public debate. Essential reading."—Cécile Laborde, University of Oxford"In this lucid and engaging essay, Albert Weale enlists insights of modern political analysis to enlighten public debate. He cogently shows that the manipulative ideal of a singular 'will of the people' is both fallacious and antithetical to fundamental values of democratic politics."—Jack Nagel, University of Pennsylvania

• Acknowledgements viPreface viii1 In the Grip of a Myth 12 Nostalgic Myths 153 What is a People? 304 Majority Willing? 465 The Mythical Sovereign 676 On Being Outnumbered 81 7 Democracy without Myth 958 The Ethics of Responsibility 112Notes and Sources 117