“Democracy in America”

“A majority taken collectively is not an individual whose opinions and frequently, whos interests are opposed to those of another individual who is styled a minority.
If it be admitted that a man possessing absolute power may misuse that power by wronging his adversaries, why should not the majority he held liable to the same reproach?
Men do not change their characters by uniting with each other; nor does their patience in the presence of obstacles increase with their strength.
For my own part, I cannot believe it, the power to do everything which I should refuse to my equals, I will never grant to any number of them?

Alexis de Tocqueville, 1832

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