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That's not my understanding of democracy regardless of this interpretation. Democracy is about bestowing power to a majority. There is a big difference between
by trinsic2 4y ago
That's not my understanding of democracy regardless of this interpretation. Democracy is about bestowing power to a majority. There is a big difference between the terms "people" and a "majority of people" because the majority can, and does, end up being wrong about a great many things. So if we bestow power to a majority we end up with less power as a people.
- lambertsimnel 4y agoI think there's a spectrum of democracy from minimal (with peaceful transitions of power, but with other trappings of democracy largely ineffective or absent) to full (exemplifying Ernest Naville's words: "in a democratic government, the right of decision belongs to the majority, but the right of representation belongs to all"). I think full democracy requires minority rights and the rule of law, but maybe that's implied by the Naville quote. Notably, majority rule isn't sufficient for full democracy, and isn't necessary or sufficient for minimal democracy.
- seydor 4y agoMost definitions of democracy do not mention majority. It is one way to pursue wide representation, though The autocracy of the majority is mob rule, not democracy