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What conditions make consent morally meaningful in political and legal theory?

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The Greek philosopher Plato — Philosophy of law Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.

In political and legal theory, consent is considered morally meaningful when it serves as a valid expression of individual autonomy and agency. For consent to generate legitimate obligations or confer authority, it must generally satisfy several core conditions:12

Rational Agency: Consenting parties must be rational agents capable of understanding moral categories, such as the distinction between right and wrong.1
Sufficient Information: Parties must be adequately informed about the terms, scope, and potential consequences of the agreement to which they are consenting.1
Freedom from Coercion: Consent must be given freely. The presence of coercion—such as threats of force or punitive measures—nullifies the moral and legal validity of an agreement, as it undermines the voluntary nature of the act.13

While these conditions are widely accepted, scholars often disagree on what constitutes "sufficient" information or what specific forms of constraint invalidate consent. Furthermore, because individuals are entitled to respect and autonomy by virtue of their humanity, any restriction of freedom—particularly in a society of equals—requires compelling moral justification. Consequently, some theorists argue that when an individual's capacity for authentic consent is compromised, such as in cases involving children or those with impaired judgment, paternalistic intervention may be considered to protect them from harm.12