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The 51% percent shouldn't get to do anything they want to the other 49%. Democracy can/should be more nuanced than simple majority/mob rule. Super majorities,
by mikem170 5y ago
The 51% percent shouldn't get to do anything they want to the other 49%.
Democracy can/should be more nuanced than simple majority/mob rule. Super majorities, local rule, and consensus are all ways of achieving that. Ideally groups of people would not be allowed to impose on other groups of people. I'm just throwing out a general statement about the idea of democracy, food for thought.
Many places haven't voted on lockdowns. I think Switzerland did at some point, which makes sense (as they are more of a real democracy than Canada). There's an initial emergency that may need a quick response, but later on there is time for the people to vote.
- archagon 5y agoSure, but if, let’s say, 85% are in favor of lockdowns (or mandatory schooling, or seatbelts, or…), then letting the loud 15% dictate your policy by attrition is also mob rule.
- mikem170 5y ago85% sounds a lot better to me than a 51% majority, which was partially my point. Your point about the minority dictating policy by attrition is interesting to think about. Conservatives might tend to like that feature, not adding new laws unless enough people agree. I assume Progressives would tend to feel the opposite. I'd add that the amount of people voting would seem to make a big difference. It's hard for tens or hundreds of millions of people to agree, easier for smaller groups. Compromise is also a wonderful thing, too, when the 85% respect the 15% enough to do so.
- nathanaldensr 5y agoGood luck collecting any statistics nowadays that are trusted by the entire population. Propaganda and lies have never been thicker than they are now, and it's coordinated worldwide.