Democracy: Minority Rule and the Rejection of the Majority
In this discussion, we will address an important issue: the evidence of minority rule within political parties. It is evident that only a small number of individuals are active members of political parties. This is largely because party membership is often unappealing to politicians due to the associated challenges and conservatism. Politicians are not seeking limited opportunities; they prefer to avoid unnecessary burdens. This disinterest reflects one aspect of the minority rule within these parties.
In America, the process of joining political parties is different from and more complicated than in other places. Membership in American parties requires individuals to register their names in order to vote for the desired party. At this stage, the presence of minority influence becomes evident; the main members of the party maintain a permanent and significant role in the registration process and control party affairs. The number of key members in the party is limited, emphasizing its minority status. In the American context, parties are more accurately perceived as minority entities.
The individuals who manage party operations are often referred to as political machines or political tools, which implement a specific system led by a few leaders, thereby establishing minority rule within the party.
In America, every city has its own unique political machine or apparatus, and even villages have their specific political tools. Politicians tend to focus more on organizational structure and its effectiveness than on solving governmental issues and problems. In other words, the minority faction within the party prioritizes its interests over those of the broader country. Additionally, within the party, there is an even smaller and less influential group known as the party leadership.
In 1919, a group within the British Conservative Party prepared a report stating that the acceptance of party policies is one of the key rights of the party leader, who has the authority to accept or reject decisions made at the annual party congress. This remains relevant to the present day. For instance, Tony Blair, the leader of the British Labour Party, faced criticism for relying heavily on advisors within the party.
Lasky points out that in America, both major parties are formed based on individuals rather than ideas. It is clear that the party leader is a central figure around whom supporters gather along with his ideas and proposals. However, there are individuals behind the scenes who may wield more power than even the leader. When we examine the party in parliament, we find that a limited number of minority figures are present there. Members of parliament possess special power and authority over their parties, as exemplified by the two major British parties.
Within parliament, we find the smaller group mentioned earlier. Each party has an executive committee managed and supervised by a small but powerful group. This committee forms the government when the party is in power. In a parliamentary system like that of the UK, the opposing party in parliament forms a shadow government. In many countries, minority circles manifest in various forms. For example, within a party, there may be a dominant leadership group, but there is also a political office comprising a select few members. Within this political office, an even smaller group may hold more power and influence. In summary, organizing a party ultimately results in the formation of a minority faction.
The party functions as a minority compared to the overall population. Party activists represent a minority within the larger group of party members and supporters. Among the same party activists, there exists another minority circle, further complicating the structure. The question arises: how can the party claim to represent the people when its structure is so fractionalized? Even if it does represent the people, can we genuinely assert that the populace rules through these parties and possesses real power? We have observed that even party members do not hold true sovereignty.
The significant challenge of democracy is that it relies on minority parties and systems to operate and function. When discussing the corruption of parties, we must acknowledge that the formation of a party often correlates with corruption under any government. This presents another issue within democracy, as it appears that democracy requires corrupt mechanisms to function effectively.
