Essay on majority rule with respect for minority rights

Abstract

Decision making is of great significance to the governance of any country by the federal government. The United States Federal ensures that the decisions made in relation to its citizen are fair and just. This is where the concept of majority rule comes into play. The democratic system in the United States of America is one that operates under the reference of majority rule. However, it is important for countries to address issues concerning the welfare of the minority groups within the society. The aspect of majority rule is somehow contradictory when it comes to considering the rights of the minority.

Majority is defined as the concept of decision making by considering the majority within a particular societal setting. In such a situation, the majority has the authority to make decisions that affect the welfare of the entire population including the minorities. The United States government tries to focus on the aspect of majority while at the same time ensuring that the rights of the minorities are taken under full consideration. The relationship between the concept of majority rule and the aspect of the rights of the minorities can therefore be observed to be of a contradictory nature. The two aspects contradict because it is tricky to impose majority rule within a population while ensuring that the rights of the minorities are safeguarded.

Majority rule and consideration of minority rights is a concept which has been fully inculcated into the United States constitution. This concept ensures that despite the country being governed by the majority, the minority’s requests can be heard. Matters concerning the minority are still put under consideration. The concept of majority rule and minority rule is provided for in the first amendment of the United States Constitution. The amendment reveals that the minority have certain rights which protect them against unfair treatment which might be as a result of decisions made by the majority. It states that the minority have the freedom of expression in speech and also in petitioning the government. The fourth amendment protects the minority by the privacy protection. This protects the minority from searches or seizures in relation to their property. Such rights are protected by the issuing of search warrants. Therefore, searching of private property cannot commence without the warrants.