majority rule
7
3.6
- noun
- /məˈdʒɔrɪti ruːl/
:
regla de la mayoría
- The principle of majority rule ensures that the voice of the larger group prevails in decision-making processes.
- principle of majority rule
- majority rule within a democracy
- transition to majority rule
Examples
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In this view, long-term United States interests lie in strongly supporting majority rule.
Academic text (1998) -
We take for granted that majority rule is a fair way to decide things.
Blog text (27) -
After that period, there would be a more traditional government based on majority rule.
Academic text (1997) -
What are the differences between a decision made by consensus and one made by majority rule?
Academic text (1991) -
Only then can a negotiated transition to majority rule take place.
-
In these societies, laws and policies are normally enacted through majority rule.
Academic text (1992) -
There is no question, of course, that the Constitution erects barriers to simple majority rule.
Academic text (1997) -
ANC stresses the importance of a strong central government under majority rule.
Academic text (1992) -
In the final analysis, self-determination and majority rule were sacrificed on the altar of national interest.
Academic text (2004) -
Minute-taking was always haphazard, and we never followed Robert's Rules of Order or even majority rule to make decisions.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
63
2.7
The idea that most members decide what the whole group does
1
9.1
A political system where most people decide and their choices have most power, often ignoring smaller groups' rights
How Majoritarian
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'decisions determined by the greater number' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'majority' (the larger portion of a group) with 'rule' (a governing principle). This straightforward compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common in political and decision-making contexts, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Majority rule comes from a simple image of a group vote, where the majority, the larger group, raise their hands and the side with more hands wins. So, majority rule means the majority 'rules' and decisions are 'decided by the greater number' of people in the group.