Critical Thinking I block

1. Majority v. Minority: On the top of page 69 (left column), Thoreau argues that “a government in which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.” Read through and discuss this argument. Define majority, minority, and justice. Is our government a product of majority rule? What’s wrong with majority rule? On p. 70 (right column), he adds, “Moreover, any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already . . .” and “A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight.” Evaluate these statements. In what ways does our government disenfranchise minorities (think expansively, not exclusively ethnicity)? In what ways might (or does) our government protect minority rights?