Why does Thoreau believe " a government in which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it"?

As a Transcendentalist, Henry Thoreau believed in the power of the individual; and that everyone has an internal “higher law” that successfully guides them through life. In the fourth paragraph of “Civil Disobedience” then, he questions the authority and tradition of “majority rule” specifically because it does not take into consideration any additional valid points made by individuals. Government does not honor and respect individual differences of thought or action. It expects conformity, whereas the...

As a Transcendentalist, Henry Thoreau believed in the power of the individual; and that everyone has an internal “higher law” that successfully guides them through life. In the fourth paragraph of “Civil Disobedience” then, he questions the authority and tradition of “majority rule” specifically because it does not take into consideration any additional valid points made by individuals. Government does not honor and respect individual differences of thought or action. It expects conformity, whereas the Transcendentalists expect all voices to be heard and considered. He continues:

Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience? … Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think that we should be men first, and subject afterward. … The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.

Admittedly, this could be a challenging way to govern millions of people. Much trust and respect would have to be present on all sides. By the end of the essay, in its final paragraph, Thoreau even wonders if democracy is the best managing system available to us. (We could still debate this issue.)

Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.