In Rousseau, the minority is always incorrect and must be enlightened by majority, how is this oppression?

Question

In Rousseau, the minority is always incorrect and must be enlightened by the majority, what examples are there where the majority has been misdirected, misinformed, etc, that disprove his theory. I have considered Tocqueville's argument that if a man possessing absolute power can misuse that power, than why can't a majority, however specific examples, or building upon what Tocqueville said would help. I'm wringing for a History of Policical Thought class where I have a C becasue I used the United States and the Bible as sources to disprove Aristotle, so as much help as you could give me would be an incredible help.

I'm pretty sure, becasue in my class someone asked the question, Are you sure that the minority is being called incorrect, I think it's more that their not enlightened, and my prof whos a genius, was like, no, he's calling them incorrect

Answer 1

Examples from history and science discoveries. People used to believe that the earth was flat. Those who believed otherwise were put to the stake and killed. That was oppression even before science proved it was spherical and not flat and the majority was wrong.

Another example, people used to believe the sun revolved around the earth, and the minority who believed otherwise were afraid to oppose them because they would be killed. That was oppression and science proved they were wrong.

If you research the history of science, religion and black magic, you will find thousands of similar examples where the majority oppressed the minority.

In modern times, politics and religion are still exercising this type of dictatorship. Democracy is a banner; a lure; a tool and mere propaganda they use to rule and prevail, and once they are in power, all opponents are oppressed in a way or another. Simply, If you are not with me, you are against me.

Answer 2

it is oppression because all are entitled to their own opinion.

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Rousseau

If you read this it says he questioned the majority will as being correct.