Should minorities have a veto?

Discussion in 'Ethics, Morality, & Justice' started by S.A.M., Mar 9, 2009.

?

Minorities should have a veto on matters that affect them

  1. Yes

    2 vote(s)
    18.2%
  2. No

    6 vote(s)
    54.5%
  3. Some other opinion

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%
  1. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    So I was hanging out with this guy on the weekend and we landed up having a debate on minorities.

    The question was:

    Should minorities have a veto in matters that affect them?


    Before I give my opinion, I'd like to hear some views.

    You can use Prop 8 as an example [ours was related to Indian stuff, but that would not be relevant here]
     
  2. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,766
    A veto?
    Or did you mispell "vote"?
     
  4. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  5. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    A veto, as in for gay marriage, when the majority votes against them.
     
  6. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  7. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    Minority rights are not guaranteed by veto, but rather by instruments like the constitution and state or federal laws, or the court system.
     
  8. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    Is that a no?
     
  9. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    Correct, it wouldn't be democratic.
     
  10. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    Why? because the majority should decide what the minority can do?

    This is democratic?
     
  11. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,766
    The loser in any democratic vote is a "minority". I agree with spidergoat on this one.
     
  12. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    So minority rights should be decided by the majority?
     
  13. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    Not completely, that would be the tyranny of the majority. The majority can decide things within the limits of the law. It's the law that guarantees minority rights. The majority cannot vote away the rights of the minority.
     
  14. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    Thats circular reasoning. Who decides what the law is?
     
  15. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,766
    I didn't say they "should". By definition, though, that's how a democracy works. It's a flawed system but it's the best we have.
     
  16. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    Quoted for posterity.

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

     
  17. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    The majority, but it's much harder to change constitutions than it is to change other kinds of laws. That's why minority rights were not enforced in many cases until recently.
     
  18. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    And why were they enforced recently?
     
  19. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,766
    Quote away. I've always said that Democracy is effectively mob rule. That's why the founders of this nation included rights endowed to ALL men by their creator.
     
  20. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
    Cultural attitudes changed. Denying minority rights was causing too much of a problem to the majority.
     
  21. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    72,825
    I agree. I am a believer in proportional representation. I think a true democracy should be will of the majority except where it tramples the rights of the minorities. ie. Majorities should not be able to deny the minorities any rights they enjoy.

    IOW, yes, I think minorities should have a veto when they are denied rights enjoyed by the majority.
     
  22. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    7,721
    Only if they possess nuclear weapons.
     
  23. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    25,817
    so its kind of like the majority of wolves outvoting the sheep on what to have for dinner.

    Whites in America are in for a rude awakening when Hispanics become the majority.
     

Share This Page