If the majority in a democracy is wrong about an issue, but the majority rules, does that automatically make..

Question

them right about any issue they agree with and is that good for a Democracy?

Answer 1

Madison talked about this in Federalist No. 10.
What he called "factions" could oppress the minority. This is quite true, because his essay was some good forboding of the interest group and lobbying schemes of today. Factions, "interest groups", if large enough, can overcome the viewpoints of the minority. Madison believed that by limiting the number of individuals who would be elected, crazy parties would not develop. In Italy, they have the Neo Facist Party (Forza Italia or Italian Force), and the Communist Party. Their Left and Right wings are quite different from ours. We are relatively tame compared to the rest of the world, and we have our two party system to thank for that.

A political scientist known as Jeffrey Berry theorized that interest groups are necessary to allow access of people's interests to their government. Our representatives are rarely suaded by our personal opinions, but when quite a few of their voters belong to a group such as a teachers union or the NRA, the representative takes careful note.

While it isn't a very good system, it is the only way, besides opinion polls, we can influence our lawmakers in most cases.

The political scientists Bachrach and Bratz theorized that a power elite of businessmen, lobbyists, politicians, and high ranking members of interest groups control most of the legislation. Some scientists such as Dahl disagree with this, but it is thought prevoking.

Answer 2

What you are asking, the answer is yes. In a democracy, the majority rules. Whatever the majority says, that is considered right.

That is why we live in a republic. The will of the majority is restricted by a constitution. The constitution, not only explains how the government is to function, it limits what government can do.

For example, imprisoning American citizens who's ancestors were from Japan during WW2 was a violation of their rights. A majority of Americans might have thought that it was a good idea, but that is the kind of law that you would expect from a democracy.

Democracies do not protect the rights of the minority. It's just majority rule. Democracies can be very dangerous when they get their information from news media that have strong opinions. People can be persuaded to give up their rights, for the common good, or to protect themselves from terrorism, or some other spurious argument.

The next time that you hear a teacher or politician speak about "our democracy", you need to correct him or her. This is a republic, not a democracy.

Answer 3

That's one of the primary problems with the blanket phrase "democracy." Democracy has come to mean freedom, but most people don't realize that it truly means majority rule.

I personally don't think a "democracy" is an acceptable system (for the reason you mentioned). A republic (which stands by a constitution guaranteeing rights and freedoms) is the best form of government.

Answer 4

no, we have three branches of government in the usa that check each other. the supreme court can decide whether a law is unconstitutional. for example, the majority cannot vote to make slavery legal because it will violate the constitution. although majority rule seems fair, the rights of the minority must be protected to make a democracy work.

Answer 5

Unfortunately the majority of people are not intelligent in any political party. This should make all voters out there think very carefully before voting for a person based only on the political party they represent.

Answer 6

In a Democracy I guess so. But not in the U.S. because we are a Republic.