Author(s)

Peter Emerson

The de Borda Institute, Belfast, UK.

This article examines the rights and wrongs of majority voting; it offers a critique of current practice in regard to the right of self-determination, which often relies on majority voting; and it questions that which follows as a consequence of the ubiquitous use of this voting procedure, the right of (binary) majority rule. It next analyses how different voting systems might (or might not) be a little better, and suggests a taxonomy of decision-making. Then it advocates a non-majoritarian polity. Finally, on the basis that consensus voting would be more inclusive and accurate, and therefore more democratic, it outlines that which could be a new definition of democratic rights.

Consensus, Human Rights, Modified Borda Count, Compromise

Emerson, P. (2019) The Rights (and Wrongs) of Majority Rule and Self-Determination. Beijing Law Review, 10, 926-948. doi: 10.4236/blr.2019.104050.