Tyranny of the Majority
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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. -
Aah..... the most important Question...... can you please EVERYONEOriginally posted by maurizio13: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.
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Originally posted by hloc:
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.
Aah..... the most important Question...... can you please [b]EVERYONE
[/b] -
Originally posted by hloc:
I can think of 2 district, potong pasir and hougang which are being victimized by the majority government.
Aah..... the most important Question...... can you please [b]EVERYONE
[/b]
They are Singaporeans too and should be treated fairly by the government, whatever political party they support. -
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 manOriginally posted by chiabaliao: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.
posion''.
Yes, I agree that the law MUST protect the rights of the minority..... but again the Question..... Can You Please Everyone -
thats one way to gain people's support.Originally posted by maurizio13:I can think of 2 district, potong pasir and hougang which are being marginalized by the majority government.
They are Singaporeans too and should be treated fairly by the government, whatever political party they support.
not by condemning and make them a town of their own with little support. -
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......Originally posted by maurizio13: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.
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 -
i don't think any government can ever please everybody, if they can please everybody, then there isn't a need for voting anymore
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Originally posted by hloc:
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.
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] -
I agree.... all law must protect EVERYONE - Majority & Minority - But there is just no way to please EVERYONE.....Originally posted by maurizio13: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.
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Originally posted by hloc:
Could the driver be passing sarcasm to you because he knows you are Singaporean?
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]
What you heard could be just pure gossip, unlike ours, which has been stated in the newspapers. -
Originally posted by hloc:
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.
I agree.... all law must protect [b]EVERYONE - Majority & Minority - But there is just no way to please EVERYONE..... [/b]
Do you think what the government did in potong pasir and hougang is fair or right? -
Originally posted by hloc:
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
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]
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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......Originally posted by maurizio13: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.
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. -
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 1stOriginally posted by 4getmenot:yar sure, tell that to the people of potong pasir and pasir panjang...
Thats what I mean...... Could You Please Everyone -
But then again, it's all gossip, unless you can find proof of such instances in the press.Originally posted by hloc: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. -
Originally posted by hloc:
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?
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] -
Originally posted by hloc:
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?
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
Thats what I mean...... Could You Please Everyone [/b] -
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.Originally posted by maurizio13:Can you name the PAP areas that are not upgraded yet? How old are the buildings? -
But are these flats in Ang Mo Kio and Woodlands older than Potong Pasir and Hougang?Originally posted by hloc: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.
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Woodlands quite new. -
Originally posted by maurizio13:
And what do you suggest we do
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. [b]Or are you suggesting that we should let this imbalance persist?[/b] I really like to hear your suggestion.....
On 1 hand you agree that this is not an ideal world...... on the other you plan to ''change'' this Un-ideal world. Can you share with me your plan on how you want to change the way things are..... really.... me not joking here. Too often I read post of ppl bringing out problem with no suggestion of how to solve the problem..... or they come out with over simple solution.....
example - got poor ppl..... give $$$ lor..... when $$$ used up..... wait and die lor..... Just example.
For the record, me neither support nor dislike the govt..... Me just tried of day after day ppl bring out problem with no solution. So.... what you plan to do -
Near the Woolands MRT new...... nearer to causeway, old. Since you agree that this is not an Ideal world, then you should understand that the age of the area got nothing to do with the Upgrading...... unfair as it is.Originally posted by maurizio13: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. -
Originally posted by hloc:
First and foremost, there should be more opposition voted into parliament, so as to maintain a balance of power, where no group is too strong that they can oppress the other minority.
And what do you suggest we do I really like to hear your suggestion.....
On 1 hand you agree that this is not an ideal world...... on the other you plan to ''change'' this [b]Un-ideal world. Can you share with me your plan on how you want to change the way things are..... really.... me not joking here. Too often I read post of ppl bringing out problem with no suggestion of how to solve the problem..... or they come out with over simple solution.....
example - got poor ppl..... give $$$ lor..... when $$$ used up..... wait and die lor..... Just example.
For the record, me neither support nor dislike the govt..... Me just tried of day after day ppl bring out problem with no solution. So.... what you plan to do [/b]
You sound like a CEO. Hehehe......
Because most bosses would ask you for solution if you noticed the problem. If no solution, why bother telling me the problem.
Hehehe -
Originally posted by hloc:
I disagree, the age of the area has everything to do with the upgrading.
Near the Woolands MRT new...... nearer to causeway, old. Since you agree that this is not an Ideal world, then you [b]should understand that the age of the area got nothing to do with the Upgrading...... unfair as it is.[/b]
I am sure you can justify replacing an old 20 y.o. car with a new car because it's more efficient. But can you justify replacing a 4 y.o. car with a new car, where the cost savings in efficiency will not be substantial.
Just to name a few. In an older estate, lifts tend to be less efficient, the facade of the estate might be in a worse off condition and there might be more older folks living in the estate. -
Maybe next time they will practice this form of unfair treatment in healthcare.
Opposition supporters join the end of the queue, PAP supporters join the queue in front of the opposition. At the end of the day, the queue will never get short and the opposition supporters will never get to see the doctor, because there will always be new PAP supporters joining the queue to see the doctor.
The same logic you will apply here is, the PAP supporters have not seen the doctor, what makes you think that the opposition supporters has priority in seeing the doctor.
But then again, like you said, it's an imperfect world, so I guess we have to deal with the marginalisation.
In an imperfect world, we try to enact laws to protect the minority from being singled out for oppression. We do not turn a blind eye and let the oppression continue. We try the best of our abilities to make an imperfect world perfect again. If we had wanted to persist in our imperfect world model, we should not have enacted laws to protect citizens from murder, robbery, wife battering, etc.