Authors: Hermet, Badie, Birnbaum & Braud
Summary: In this entry of only 195 words the majoritarian principle is defined as strictly linked to the democratic exercise of power. It is commonly considered as the best instrument of popular sovereignity expression because, on one hand, it maximizes the possibilities to represent the general interest and, on the other hand, it entitles governements with power and legitimacy.
It is still debated, however, wheter the majority principle is an absolute basis of democracy (in this case the majority would represent the absolute sovereignity), or if it is only a means of popular sovereignity expression with a pure instrumental meaning (in which case it would receive an inferior status than, e.g. law in general and than minority rights specifically).