majoritarianism

American

[muh-jawr-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm, -jor-] / məˌdʒɔr ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm, -ˌdʒɒr- /

noun

rule by a majority, especially the belief that those constituting a simple majority should make the rules for all members of a group, nation, etc.

Etymology

Origin of majoritarianism

First recorded in 1960–65; majoritarian + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It's "really important to treasure the secular culture of this country, allowing every religion to flourish," he told an Indian newspaper in 2016. "... we must not endanger this by insisting on Hindu majoritarianism".

From BBC

Democracy involves both majoritarianism — governance that is responsive to the people — and the rule of law — that everyone is accountable to the rules.

From Salon

Perhaps that is why Gandhi went to such lengths to foreswear majoritarianism, instead stressing tolerance of even the smallest of minorities.

From BBC

While ushering in a remarkable moment of communal fraternity, Hindu-Muslim unity raised fears of majoritarianism among smaller minority groups: Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and Jews.

From BBC

He dissipated the spectre of majoritarianism, ensuring that the riots did not permanently scar Bombay.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023