maiorias

Maiores, or maiorias in Portuguese, refers to the plural form of maioria, meaning the larger portion of a group. The term is used across political, legal, social, and statistical contexts to denote the side or subset that holds the greater number of elements, votes, or influence within a given set. Etymologically, maioria comes from Latin maior, meaning larger or greater, and is related to terms in several Romance languages that describe bulk or predominance.

In political and legal contexts, maiorias are central to decision-making. A simple majority (maioria simples) typically means more votes for a proposal than for any other option among those present and voting, while an absolute majority (maioria absoluta) requires more than half of all eligible votes, regardless of attendance. Many constitutions and statutes also specify a qualified or supermajority (maioria qualificada), such as two-thirds or three-fifths, for constitutional amendments or important steps. These distinctions help balance efficiency with broader legitimacy.

In sociology and demography, maiorias describe demographic groups that constitute the majority within a population, such as a national or regional majority. These contexts emphasize the difference between numerical dominance and political or cultural influence, which may be exercised through institutions, norms, or policies. The term can also be contrasted with minorias, the smaller or less numerous groups.

Overall, maiorias is a versatile concept used to express numerical dominance and procedural thresholds in voting, law, and society, with several defined forms that clarify the degree of consensus required for action.