Democracy is no panacea

When there is a systematic link between cultural identity and economic status, democracy becomes a problem, rather than a solution. It exacerbates cultural conflicts to the point of violence, because it provides a formal opportunity for the majority to force their will on the minority.

“Whoever wants democracy under these conditions must first come up with a creative and consensual formula, according to which each cultural group would be free to live its unique cultural life without attempting to force its identity and customs on the entire citizen body.”

- Lev Grinberg, Professor of Political Economy and Sociology at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

See his comment for Al-Jazeera here

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