Majoritarian

Majoritarian refers to political systems, rules, or processes that emphasize rule by the numerical majority. In a broad sense, majoritarianism seeks to concentrate decision-making power in the hands of the group that holds more than half of the votes or support. The term is often used to describe electoral or constitutional rules that produce decisive outcomes for the winner in a contest, rather than requiring broad consensus across multiple groups.

In elections and legislatures, majoritarian rules typically yield single-party government outcomes and a winner-takes-all dynamic. Common mechanisms include single-member districts with first-past-the-post voting, where the candidate with the most votes wins even if that candidate does not receive an absolute majority. Other forms include runoff elections that require an absolute majority or referendums and constitutional amendments decided by a majority of voters or of those participating.

Variants of the concept include simple majority, where more votes than any other option suffice, and absolute majority, where more than half of all eligible voters or participants is required. Some systems also employ supermajorities for particular decisions, layering additional thresholds on top of standard majoritarian rules.

Critics argue that majoritarian systems can marginalize minorities and underrepresent diverse interests, potentially reducing political pluralism. Proponents contend that majoritarian rules provide clear mandates, stability, and efficient decision-making. Majoritarian approaches are often contrasted with proportional representation, which seeks to allocate seats in proportion to overall vote shares and tends to produce multi-party legislatures and broader minority voice.