Good on Paper Minority Rule in America
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Apr 22, 2025 
In this insightful conversation, Steve Teles, a Political Science professor at Johns Hopkins University, delves into the profound impact of minoritarianism on American democracy. He discusses how small groups can disproportionately influence governance, often at the expense of majority desires. Teles critiques institutional mechanisms like the Electoral College and filibuster that favor minority interests, while also exploring challenges in environmental policymaking. His call for reforms and embracing ideological diversity highlights urgency in enhancing democratic representation.
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Founders Feared Majority Tyranny
- The Founders feared tyranny of the majority and designed a system to foster conflict, diversity, and deliberation.
- Their extended sphere concept was a large republic to prevent any single interest from dominating.
Minority Obstruction Enabled by Structure
- The U.S. government is larger and more complex than founders anticipated, enabling small, attentive minorities to block majority will.
- Separation of powers slows government action up and down, aiding minoritarian obstruction especially.
Elite Bureaucracy Fuels Populism
- Systems designed to block majority tyranny can also shield minoritarian preferences, sometimes favoring elites or ideological niches.
- This dynamic fuels populist backlash by those alienated from bureaucratic governance.
