Les fondations de la democratie: Extraits sur la regle de majorite

In: Raisons politiques: études de pensée politique, Volume 1, Issue 53, p. 23-36

Abstract

Hans Kelsen examines the majority principle from the transformation of the natural freedom into civil freedom according to Rousseau. The majority rule turns out to give an estimate of self-government, insofar as the majority rule maximizes the number of those whose individual will coincides with the collective will. It is even better than unanimity or super majority. The majority decision satisfies best both the ideals of freedom and equality. Furthermore, the use of the majority rule fits a type of personality seeking compromise and respect for the minority. Eventually, behind democracy and the majority decision, relativistics can be understood. In other words, this philosophy by Kelsen explains that as access to truths or absolute values seem to be out of reach, people accept the majority decision quite easily. Adapted from the source document.