Tyranny of the Majority

last SG · 2007-03-05T12:08:30+00:00

and they call it 'strong mandate'... no shy one lar..

maurizio13 SG

The Need for Formal and Informal Mechanisms to Prevent "Tyranny of the Majority" in Any Democratic Government by Rick Garlikov

Abstract:

In any institution in which a majority of citizens or members can pass laws or rules that apply, not just to themselves, but to all members of the group, judgment is required to distinguish potential laws which are reasonable and fair from those which are tyrannical because they are unnecessary, unfair, and justifiably intolerable to the minority that opposed them. And formal mechanisms need to be in place, wherever feasible, to prevent tyrannical laws from being passed by those whose judgment in such matters might fail.

hloc SG

Aah..... the most important Question...... can you please EVERYONE

chiabaliao SG

Originally posted by hloc:

Aah..... the most important Question...... can you please [b]EVERYONE

[/b]

It's a question of being fair to everyone, so that no laws will be passed that will only advance the interests of some rulers who think they have the mandate of the tyrannical majority.

maurizio13 SG

Originally posted by hloc:

Aah..... the most important Question...... can you please [b]EVERYONE

[/b]

I can think of 2 district, potong pasir and hougang which are being victimized by the majority government.

They are Singaporeans too and should be treated fairly by the government, whatever political party they support.

hloc SG

There is no way any law could be ''fair'' to everyone....... we could try our best to be fair..... but remember that ''One man meat, is another man
posion''.

Yes, I agree that the law MUST protect the rights of the minority..... but again the Question..... Can You Please Everyone

alwaysdisturbed SG

thats one way to gain people's support.
not by condemning and make them a town of their own with little support.

hloc SG

When I was at Aust for a holiday, a few years back...... the driver told us that the road we were travelling on is not ''upgraded'' to more lanes because the ppl in the area didn't vote for the ''Winner''....... So, you think potong pasir and hougang are the only one being VICTIMIZED..... Just look at Penang who has a Chinese Majority......

In an Ideal world, the word of Law is Fair to everyone..... everyone is happy and safe.... etc. But we live in a far from Ideal world.....

Again the Question - Can You please Everyone

allentyb SG

i don’t think any government can ever please everybody, if they can please everybody, then there isn’t a need for voting anymore

maurizio13 SG

Originally posted by hloc:

There is no way any law could be ''[b]fair'' to everyone....... we could try our best to be fair..... but remember that ''One man meat, is another man
posion''.

Yes, I agree that the law MUST protect the rights of the minority..... but again the Question..... Can You Please Everyone [/b]

You can't please everyone, but you don't oppress them. They should be treated fairly along with the majority, whatever rights that has been given to the majority, the minority should have them too.

hloc SG

I agree.... all law must protect EVERYONE - Majority & Minority - But there is just no way to please EVERYONE..... Mr. Green

maurizio13 SG

Originally posted by hloc:

When I was at Aust for a holiday, a few years back...... the driver told us that the road we were travelling on is not ''upgraded'' to more lanes because the ppl in the area didn't vote for the ''Winner''....... So, you think potong pasir and hougang are the only one being [b]VICTIMIZED..... Just look at Penang who has a Chinese Majority......

In an Ideal world, the word of Law is Fair to everyone..... everyone is happy and safe.... etc. But we live in a far from Ideal world.....

Again the Question - Can You please Everyone [/b]

Could the driver be passing sarcasm to you because he knows you are Singaporean?

What you heard could be just pure gossip, unlike ours, which has been stated in the newspapers.

maurizio13 SG

Originally posted by hloc:

I agree.... all law must protect [b]EVERYONE - Majority & Minority - But there is just no way to please EVERYONE..... Mr. Green [/b]

Like I said the law should be fair, it should apply to everyone under it's jurisdiction. Whether you are Indian, Malay, Chinese, rich, poor, opposition supporters or PAP supporters.

Do you think what the government did in potong pasir and hougang is fair or right?

4getmenot SG

yar sure, tell that to the people of potong pasir and pasir panjang... this isn't about pleasing everyone, its more about abuse of power and prejudice Rolling Eyes

hloc SG

Only 2 S'porean in a group of 15+..... mostly US+Jap..... mix tour. Me & friend go horse riding..... the rest to wine testing. Driver addressing the whole group when speaking..... Me and friend keep mostly to ourselve. Don't remember telling anyone we from S'pore......

I have an Ang Mor NZ uncle...... same thing in NZ. All also depend on the ''Num of Votes"..... It is the same all over the world.

hloc SG

They know what they were Voting for....... you can't have your cake and eat it too..... Other ''PAP'' areas also haven't Upgraded...... would it be ''Fair'' to these areas if the Opps side get upgraded 1st Question

Thats what I mean...... Could You Please Everyone

maurizio13 SG

But then again, it's all gossip, unless you can find proof of such instances in the press.

maurizio13 SG

In an ideal world, we won't have PAP as the government ruling us. But we live in an unideal world, therefore we need laws to protect the minority from oppression from the majority. Or are you suggesting that we should let this imbalance persist?

maurizio13 SG

Originally posted by hloc:

They know what they were Voting for....... you can't have your cake and eat it too..... Other ''PAP'' areas also haven't Upgraded...... would it be ''[b]Fair'' to these areas if the Opps side get upgraded 1st Question

Thats what I mean...... Could You Please Everyone [/b]

Can you name the PAP areas that are not upgraded yet? How old are the buildings? If other areas of PAP have not been upgraded yet. What gives these potong pasir and hougang residents the priority of upgrading if they vote in PAP candidates?

hloc SG

Ang Mo Kio is not totally upgraded yet..... my Woodlands is not totally upgraded yet...... been to Jurong for CNY visit..... also not totally upgraded yet........ Since i don't work for the RC, don't know the address or block of flat....... still see HDB with lift on to certain floors at woodlands old area.

maurizio13 SG

But are these flats in Ang Mo Kio and Woodlands older than Potong Pasir and Hougang?

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Woodlands quite new.