Single Idea 23530

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / e. Democratic minorities]

Full Idea

For Mill and De Tocqueville the greatest of the dangers was not that in fact the majority might use their power to oppress a minority, but that, with the spread of democratic ideas, it might come to be thought unobjectionable that they should do so.

Gist of Idea

The great danger of democracy is that the oppression of the minority becomes unobjectionable

Source

H.L.A. Hart (Law,Liberty and Morality [1963], III 'Populism')

Book Reference

Hart,H.L.A.: 'Law,Liberty and Morality' [OUP 1968], p.77


A Reaction

This was vivid in the 2016 Brexit referendum, which was 52-48 in favour of leaving. There were lots voices saying 'you lost, get over it'. It should be a basic (if neglected) principle that the winners of elections now represent the whole population.