The Democratic Paradox

The Democratic Paradox refers to the tension between the principles of democracy: on one hand, emphasizing majority rule and collective decision-making; on the other, protecting individual rights and minority interests. This creates a challenge because ensuring majority power can threaten individual freedoms, yet prioritizing rights might limit democratic authority. The paradox lies in balancing these competing values—democracy seeks both active participation and safeguard of individual freedoms—yet they can conflict, making the structure of democratic governance complex and sometimes contradictory.