HOW DOES THE PRINCIPLE OF MAJORITY RULE WITHIN DEMOCRACIES INTERACT, AND POTENTIALLY CONFLICT WITH, THE SAFEGUARDING OF MINORITY RIGHTS?
doi: https://doi.org/10.56461/iup_rlrc.2026.7.ch10
The rule of the majority is a very important principle of any democratic system. Nevertheless, if not properly regulated, it can threaten minority rights and the existence of minority groups. This article attempts to explore the correlation between democratic decision-making vis-à-vis the protection of minority rights from what is seen as the “tyranny of the majority.” It analyses international and European multilateral legal documents, important judicial decisions, as well as several mechanisms of political, social, and legal representation designed to protect minority rights. Furthermore, it analyses the Albanian primary and secondary legislation and the respective challenges in their implementation, by spotting possible limitations in representation, political inclusiveness, and practical applicability. The article opts that a well-founded democratic system, alongside the majority rule, should also incorporate effective remedies regarding the protection and due representation of minorities.
Keywords: minority rights, Albania, majority rule, representation.
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