Power has been at different historical periods vested on one person- the monarchy, then in a minority- the oligarchy and now apparently in a majority- the democracy. Although democracy boasts about protecting the rights and voices of the weak and vulnerable minority, it functions on a pretty astounding electoral system: a pretty humongous 49% of a population votes against the government elected by the remaining 51% can be classified as this 'minority', now voiceless group. In such a line of thought, this apparent majority rule without any doubt is absurd. You may very well claim that democracy is the world's best governmental system but remember it is not the best.
The law of the majority is justified when a minority oppresses a majority giving rise to discrimination of various types. This can still be traced in the form of racism and not necessarily in history with the Jim Crow System and Apartheid System. In order to put an end to the violation of their rights, the Black majority, led by motions initiated by Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. among others, must have had power in their hands in order to defend their rights and liberties. But like Mahatma Gandhi remind us through his Satyagraha Mission for Independent India, it is important that the majority do not use the methods of their ex-oppressors since it will only replace evil for evil.
On thinking deeper, when a political party wins the elections due to reason and competency and not on the basis of religious or ethnic criteria, the majority rule is validated. In this way, the electorate will judge the governmental policies with objectivity and not with passion. Those governing will be criticised with respect to their ability and not their communal belonging. And if it is not satisfied with them, it can choose another party in the next elections without venerating a particular political dynasty. Therefore, a majority rule founded on reason will reject discrimination of all kinds, fashion positively the minds of people and enlighten society.
But can we forget that there are some majorities in the world today root from dominant religions which repress half-hearted adherents and atheists as well as other faiths. History has shown how modern women in Iran not wearing the Chador were persecuted. In the ancient Christian world, witches were burnt to death and heretics during the inquisition were persecuted. And we are all sure that it is not of recent knowledge that many young Hindu girls in Pakistan are still forced to convert to Islam. What is revolting is that religion should always be fundamentally personal.
The majority rule is illogical when a particular social strata having power assumes that only its members should be ministers and that others are incompetent. In countries like Russia and China, the minority rights tend to be ignored.
In many ways, the majority imposes its ideologies on the minorities, providing services that suit the requirements of the majority solely.
In India for instance, whilst the majority are against the Section 373 of law that criminalises homosexuality, it discriminates and oppresses the minority LGBT group.
What truly 'plays it all' are the values and mindset of the majority.
What is required is that the reason behind the majority rule must transcend all artificial barriers.
The majority rule has to evolve from a mere quantitative to a drastically qualitative concept.
For this, faith has always resided in the transformative ability of mankind.