Abstract

In this chapter, the author examines the relationship between the democratic principle, i.e., the principle of self-determination, self-government, or democratic rule, and the dangers of degenerating into a facet of injustice, i.e., the tyranny of the majority. In that sense, reviews the literature on the tension between the legitimacy of both the majority rule and the protection of the minorities and confronts two different conceptions of democracy. He advocates for a partnership conception of democracy as the government of all, both many and few, i.e., the consenting majority and the dissenting minority; and reinforces that it is necessary not only to defend the society against the domination of its rulers but also to guard the minority from the persecution of the majority.