Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Only in cases where you can't have it both ways.

If the majority wants to build a bridge, and a minority doesn't, well, the majority gets their say.

For one, this makes the most people (the "majority", nudge nudge) get what they want.

For another, if it all comes down to raw power struggle, i.e hitting each other, the majority will win anyway. Voting is a way to ensure you get the above effect without the blood.

Consider also that for different courses of action, what is a majority and what is a minority changes. You can be pro "more taxes" and a majority, and also pro "legalize marijuana" (and a minority at that --just an example, doesn't mean the maj/min it talks about is accurate).



You originally said 'the majority should choose period', not 'the majority should choose only in cases where you can't have it both ways'.

If democracy somehow limited itself to cases where you can't have it both ways, that would be great.

It doesn't.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: