Majoritarianism is a political philosophy that states that the majority of the population must have a certain degree of primacy in making decisions that affect society.
In a democratic society, majoritarianism is often associated with the principle of “one person, one vote,” where the majority’s choice is deemed to be the most representative of the overall population’s will.
Consequences of Majoritarianism
- Minority marginalization: One of the major drawbacks of majoritarianism is that it can marginalize minority groups. In a majoritarian system, the majority can impose their will on the minority, often leading to discrimination and inequality.
- Lack of consensus: Another drawback is the potential for lack of consensus. Majoritarianism emphasizes the will of the majority, which can leave a significant minority feeling excluded and disenfranchised. This can lead to social unrest and conflict.
- Inefficient decision-making: Majoritarianism can also lead to inefficient decision-making. The process of achieving a majority can be time-consuming and divisive, which can delay decision-making and prevent progress.
- Tyranny of the majority: Majoritarianism can lead to the tyranny of the majority, where the majority can impose their will on the minority. This can lead to an erosion of individual rights and freedoms.
- Polarization: Majoritarianism can also lead to polarization, where people align themselves with their respective majority groups, leading to a lack of compromise and cooperation between groups.
Brexit in the United Kingdom: The decision to leave the European Union in the Brexit referendum was based on a simple majority vote, where 52% of voters supported leaving the EU, while 48% voted to remain. The decision has since caused significant division and controversy in the UK.
Abortion laws in Ireland: Ireland’s abortion laws were determined by a constitutional referendum in 1983, which established the right to life of the unborn child. In 2018, a second referendum repealed this amendment, legalizing abortion in Ireland. The change was made based on a majority vote of 66.4%.
The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar: The Rohingya people in Myanmar are a Muslim minority group that has been subjected to violence and persecution by the Buddhist-majority government. The Rohingya have been denied citizenship and are considered illegal immigrants in Myanmar.
