Why Should Majority Rule?

Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world
--Tears for Fears

A commonly employed heuristic when making government-related decisions is democratic, or majority, rule. Individuals or issues that muster the most votes rule the day.

People have rationalized the use of majority rule in various ways. Some suggest that the results of democratic process represent the will of the people. This is obviously incorrect, as outcomes reflect the will of a fraction of people--the dominant coalition.

Others argue that decisions made by democratic rule are fair because they permit all to 'participate in the process.' But under democratic rule the 'process' constitutes determining who gets control of the strong arm of government to satisfy interests by aggression. It is difficult to comprehend the fairness of any outcome resulting from such a process.

Instead, making decisions by democratic rule invites faction-building and corruption. It invites discretionary rule by whatever majority takes charge.

Those who favor majority rule in government-related decisions have yet to adequately answer the question: Why is majority rule a valid decision rule in the context of government?