Friendship over, immediately. (Group of friends is a completely different situation from what's being discussed here.)

That's not so easy when the wives are friends or sisters.

Why not? If someone tries to coerce me like that, they're no longer my friend, because I cannot trust them, nor feel comfortable around them anymore.

But they can still be my wife's friend's husband, and that's how I am going to treat them.

What would be the point in pretending that there were any democratic principles involved though?

So you do have secret votes, when making group decisions with family and friends?

Sounds impractical.

I don't. But I am addressing the fact that there exist situations in which it would be beneficial.

Maybe, but if you have those situations with friends/family, then there is probably something else horrible wrong in the first place. (even though it might be common)

Agreed.