Tag: majoritarianism
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Majority Rule or Rule of Law? Neutrality, Constitutional Supremacy and the Perils of Majoritarian Logic
Having the numbers in Parliament does not make something lawful. When constitutional neutrality is treated as just another political choice, we blur the line between majority rule and the rule of law. Neutrality is not a mood or a tactic. It is a constitutional commitment that cannot shift with the parliamentary winds. That is the…
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Zombie democracy revisited
One of the Economist’s leaders this week is entitled “Zombie democracy” and essentially discusses the concept of majoritarianism. Modern democratic governments are elected by popular suffrage and are formed on the basis of majority rule (cue the discussion on representation, majority government and coalitions). Once an election is over it is assumed that the party…