Quote of the day 23rd July 2020

"In a democracy the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions on the minority." (Edmund Burke MP)

Edmund Burke quote. In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority. Image copyright Ireland Calling

For the avoidance of doubt, I don't think Burke meant that democracy is a bad thing, and I certainly am not suggesting that.

But democracy needs safeguards to protect the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups every bit as much as other systems do.

Safeguards like independent courts, the rule of law, the presumption of innocence until a suspect is proven guilty and rights to due process of law even - indeed especially - for those accused of the most heinous crimes, no matter how unpopular that is.

Otherwise the tyranny of the majority can be as oppressive as any other tyranny.

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