History of the United States I / Unit 10 USH1 1404 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Tyranny of the Majority
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The idea
Tocqueville held that democracy's major benefit is equality before the law, and that it simultaneously unleashes what he called the tyranny of the majority.
In practice
Public opinion, legislatures, executive power, military forces and juries all expressing the same majority will.
Where people slip
He asked to whom a wronged individual could appeal when every institution represents the majority that wronged him.
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