dictatorship of the majority

English

Noun

dictatorship of the majority (countable and uncountable, plural dictatorships of the majority)

1. Synonym of tyranny of the majority
   • 1897, American Fabian, volumes 3-4, page 14:

     As to the reproach that Socialists desire either the dictatorship of the proletariat over the higher classes—or the dictatorship of the majority over the minority, Herr Liebknecht successfully disposes of these accusations.

   • 1985, Alex Callinicos, “Repressive toleration revisited”, in Aspects of Toleration, J. Horton and S. Mendus eds., →ISBN, page 64:

     Both the Jacobins and Lenin believed in a temporary dictatorship of the majority over counterrevolutionary minorities.

   • 2005, John Coakley, Michael Gallagher, Politics in the Republic of Ireland‎^[1], →ISBN, page 67:

     The ease with which the will of the greater number may be translated into the dictatorship of the majority has not yet become the subject of public debate.

Translations

situation where majority makes selfish decisions — see dictatorship of the majority