Re:On my resignation as regulator of the Dutch intelligence ...
by trinsic2 on Saturday September 10, 2022 @11:32AM
(#32791523)
That's not my understanding of democracy regardless of this interpretation. Democracy is about bestowing power to a majority. There is a big difference between the terms "people" and a "majority of people" because the majority can, and does, end up being wrong about a great many things. So if we bestow power to a majority we end up with less power as a people.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:On my resignation as regulator of the Dutch intelligence ...
by lambertsimnel on Saturday September 10, 2022 @12:16PM
(#32791936)
I think there's a spectrum of democracy from minimal (with peaceful transitions of power, but with other trappings of democracy largely ineffective or absent) to full (exemplifying Ernest Naville's words: "in a democratic government, the right of decision belongs to the majority, but the right of representation belongs to all"). I think full democracy requires minority rights and the rule of law, but maybe that's implied by the Naville quote.
Notably, majority rule isn't sufficient for full democracy, and isn't necessary or sufficient for minimal democracy.