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The Rights (and Wrongs) of Majority Rule and Self-Determination
The de Borda Institute, Belfast, UK
- 1 The de Borda Institute, Belfast, UK
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Abstract
This article examines the rights and wrongs of majority voting; it offers a critique of current practice in regard to the right of self-determination, which often relies on majority voting; and it questions that which follows as a consequence of the ubiquitous use of this voting procedure, the right of (binary) majority rule. It next analyses how different voting systems might (or might not) be a little better, and suggests a taxonomy of decision-making. Then it advocates a non-majoritarian polity. Finally, on the basis that consensus voting would be more inclusive and accurate, and therefore more democratic, it outlines that which could be a new definition of democratic rights.
KeywordsConsensusHuman RightsModified Borda CountCompromise
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