tyranny of the majority

Definitions

A situation in which a government or other authority democratically supported by a majority of its subjects makes policies or takes actions benefiting that majority, without regard for the rights or welfare of the rest of its subjects.

countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“I suppose⟳, however, that the secret voting has afforded, and will afford⟳, an important security against the tyranny of the majority, which I consider⟳ as the greatest evil and the most formidable danger that can attend⟳ a purely democratical government.”

“A popular will not so limited becomes the tyranny of the majority which destroys the freedom of political competition.”

“The biggest problem is the numerically larger group's use⟳ of elections and other legitimate democratic forms to ensure its dominance—a tyranny of the majority.”

CEFR level