majority rule with respect to minority rights

In for a democratic system of government to be successful , it must develop an effective way of managing the conflict that inherently arises concerning majority rule versus minority rights . The United States constitution , in addition to many American policies , integrates this basic principal

In a democracy that operates by majority rule , the demographic which possesses the numerical majority of votes concerning a certain measure is accepted as the final word for the entire population . In contrast minority rights can be considered the fundamental inalienable rights that the government or majority cannot

remove . Some examples include freedom of speech , trial by jury , and equal protection under the law There is a delicate relationship between these two concepts , in that majority rule would not work if minority rights were not preserved at all costs . If the minority does not trust the government to protect their rights , they cannot hope to effectively participate in the various democratic institutions that are offered to them . The majority must also understand that protecting the rights of their minority counterparts is equally important in to maintain a united and functioning democracy

The United States constitution was drafted by the Founding Fathers with these key principles in mind . In to protect the immutable rights of all citizens , majority and minority included , ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights were ratified along with the constitution . The first amendment in the Bill of Rights protects numerous individual rights Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech , or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble , and to petition the government for a redress of grievances The intent of this amendment is clearly a matter of protection for basic rights . As long as freedom of speech , press , and assembly is granted the minority can legally make use of these rights in to make sure their voice is not muted by majority rule . The amendment offers a high degree of protection to the minority by ensuring that they can still contribute to the American democracy , despite being part of the minority demographic . Another example of protection of minority rights in the U .S . constitution can be found in the fifteenth amendment : The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race , color , or previous condition of servitude ' Again the intent of this amendment is to promote equality among the majority and the minority populations Here , the definition of minority is a bit more specific , referring to racial status and an individual 's previous history . However , the amendment 's purpose remains clear : to make sure that the minority 's voice can still be heard even after majority rule has decided on a matter . Without the ability to vote , certain minority groups would have no chance of being heard by anyone , and their...