In a really equal democracy, every or any section would
be represented, not disproportionately, but proportionately. A
majority of the electors would always have a majority of the
representatives; but a minority of the electors would always have a
minority of the representatives. Man for man they would be as fully
represented as the majority. Unless they are, there is not equal
government, but a government of inequality and privilege: one part
of the people rule over the rest: there is a part whose fair and equal
share of influence in the representation is withheld from them;
contrary to all just government, but, above all, contrary to the
principle of democracy, which professes equality as its very root
and foundation.
The injustice and violation of principle are not less flagrant
because those who suffer by them are a minority; for there is not
equal suffrage where every single individual does not count for as
much as any other single individual in the community. But it is not
only a minority who suffer. Democracy, thus constituted, does not even
attain its ostensible object, that of giving the powers of
government in all cases to the numerical majority. It does something
very different: it gives them to a majority of the majority; who may
be, and often are, but a minority of the whole. All principles are
most effectually tested by extreme cases.
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