When the Majority Become the Minority: The Case of Israel
34 Pages Posted: 18 Nov 2021
Date Written: November 16, 2021
Abstract
The distinction between majority and minority groups reflects the balance of power in any society. However, we should consider the extent to which a group influences social, cultural and political discourse rather than its demographic size. This paper argues that the majority group’s influence on the lives of its members does not necessarily correspond to its demographic size. Given Israel’s political structure, non-liberal and ultra-orthodox minority groups use their political influence to grant members of their groups greater rights and consistently weaken the interests and values of Israel’s secular majority group. In this paper, we argue that the multicultural defense should not be limited to the demographic minorities and should also protect political minority groups, such as the secular majority group in Israel. Alternatively, for some purposes, the majority should be given minority rights.
Keywords: Human Rights, Minorities, Liberalism, Multicultural, Religious
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